A STAND-off at the Aura is expected tomorrow afternoon after Cllr Frank McBrearty has indicated his intention to attend the reconvened Council meeting, despite a call from Cathaoirleach Jack Murray for him to stay away.
During a day of chaos and disruption, Cllr McBrearty was handed a one-month suspension at last Monday’s Donegal County Council meeting which prohibits him from attending all Council meetings.
The meeting is set to resume tomorrow at 1.30pm, and Cllr McBrearty said he intends to be there and raise a motion on corruption as it is his “right to do so as a democratically elected member of local Government in the 26 counties”.
Cllr Jack Murray has appealed to Cllr McBrearty not to attend the meeting and obey his suspension which includes attending and observing a meeting.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr McBrearty said: “As of today (Wednesday) I have not been given or told my rights as a citizen and as a public representative by Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray or the members who have suspended me unlawfully.
“They have not advised me of any appeal process on their decision which I am entitled to. If I was arrested by An Garda Síochána, they would have to read me my rights and afford me the services of a lawyer which the council have not done to date.
“I have requested the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council to correspond with my lawyers and as of today he has refused.
“Until the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Cathaoirleach Jack Murray, elected members or An Garda Síochána take me to the courts and convict me of any crimes alleged against me, which I haven’t committed, then and only then can they stop me doing my job as a democratically elected member of Local Government as enshrined in the 2001 Local Government Act amended 2014,” said Cllr McBrearty.
Cllr Murray said suspension was the last thing he wanted to happen but has urged Cllr McBrearty not to attend the meeting.
Cllr Murray said: “The suspension can be lifted if there is an assurance that he will allow work to go ahead.”
“Cllr McBrearty should understand the seriousness of the decision that was taken on Monday,” said Cllr Murray.
“The suspension can be lifted if there is an assurance that he will allow work to go ahead. I want all councillors to be allowed to take their seats and ask whatever questions are necessary but they have to allow others to do the same.
“The suspension was the last thing that I wanted to see happen during my year as Cathaoirleach and I wish it had not happened but unfortunately while everyone wanted to get work done, one councillor continued to disrupt the meeting.
“At this moment in time Cllr McBrearty stands suspended and that suspension includes attending and observing a meeting,” said Cllr Murray.
The row erupted during an discussion about allegations of corruption within the council made by Cllr McBrearty. Cllr McBrearty was asked to show proof of his allegations.
Cllr McBrearty insists he sent evidence of systemic corruption to the Chief Executive and Cllr Jack Murray in November, and he claimed that a green box which he had during the meeting was full of the evidence.
Cllr Murray said he is taking the allegation of corruption seriously but the discussion on Monday erupted into a “chaotic screaming match.”
“We could not get a response about the allegations. I want to get to the bottom of it but we need to be able to discuss it and question it.
“The question about corruption was raised by other councillors who also want to get to the bottom of the claims but we could not progress with the matter. It can only be described as a chaotic screaming match with no productive outcome at all,” he said.
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