Impasse between Mayo law and order forum and local media set to escalate

The Mayo Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) has revealed the result of its anonymous poll asking members their view on placing a moratorium on the local media from reporting on meetings of the body.

Of the 23 members who responded to the secret ballot, 19 voted in favour of the press being barred from covering proceedings of the LCSP while four were opposed to the embargo. A number of members abstained from voting.

The four members in support of opening meetings to journalists were Councillor Donna Sheridan (FG), Councillor Michael Kilcoyne (Ind.), Councillor Al McDonnell (FF) and former councillor Christy Hyland.

Recently-elected member Councillor Chris Maxwell, who attended his first meeting of the committee online today, has confirmed he is also in favour of the meetings being open to the media.

Elected representatives who voted to exclude the media included Councillor Michael Loftus (FF), the chairman of the partnership, Councillor Michael Burke (FG) and Councillor Alma Gallagher (FG).

A submission made to the LCPS by media editors of Mayo – Tom Kelly (The Connaught Telegraph), James Laffey (Western People), Teresa O’Malley (MidWest Radio) and Michael Duffy (Mayo News) – appealing against the embargo was not read or circulated to the members despite a request to do so.

When Councillor Sheridan questioned the chairman’s decision not to read the letter or circulate it, she was told by Councillor Loftus that the local media was ‘not considered to be part of the partnership.’

A spokesperson for the editors said they are now proceeding to have their letter read and debated at the next meeting of Mayo County Council ‘in the interest of protecting local democracy and the freedom of the press going forward’.

The Mayo LCSP was described at yesterday's meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District as 'a secret society.'