DONEGAL County Council is to write to Cllr Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig to again seek clarification about claims of corruption he made at last year’s budget meeting.
At Monday’s council meeting Cllr Nicholas Crossan called for the clarification and said the allegation made last November of corruption within the Council has not been fully examined.
“Each of us are sitting in here in my opinion was accused of being corrupt and I certainly do not want that attached to my name,” said Cllr Crossan.
“I feel very strongly about this and I would like clarification on where we are at with it.”
A number of councillors voiced their support for Cllr Crossan’s comments including Cllr Michael McClafferty who called on the executive to have the matter fully investigated and to take action.
Cllr Niamh Kennedy said: “We can’t have this cloud hanging over us at every meeting. I want to know has there been an apology given? Has it been given in writing back to the executive?
“If not we expect an apology and we expect to get our names cleared. We can’t carry on like this.
“It wasn’t just the members here there was also an allegation against the staff and I think something really needs to be done about it.”
Council Chief Executive, Mr John McLaughlin said the Council wrote to the councillor before Christmas last year requesting supporting information for the claim.
Mr McLaughlin said a deadline of the end of January was given but a reply has not been received to date.
Cllr Crossan said it is now nine months later and questioned what steps the Council can now take.
Mr McLaughlin said the local authority will again write to Cllr MacGiolla Easbuig giving a shorter deadline of three weeks to reply.
“I will have to take some legal advice on what the steps will be if it is not replied to and bring it back to you,” he said.
“Given it involves an elected member there is a particular process in the local government act.”
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