Councillors quarrel as President’s visit and Donegal MD council meeting clash

The timing of March’s Donegal Municipal District meeting was criticised and hotly contested by councillors, as it coincided with the visit to Donegal of President Catherine Connolly. 

President Connolly was in an engagement in Lifford at the time of the Donegal MD meeting on Tuesday, March 10, after visiting Killybegs, and before she was due to visit Letterkenny. 

The timing of the meeting led to a fiery discussion between Independent councillor, Jimmy Brogan, and the Donegal MD Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fáil councillor, Micheál Naughton. 

Cllr Brogan said: “The President of Ireland is in Lifford. Some of us were invited to meet her. This meeting could have taken place this afternoon, but that was not arranged.

“Whether you agree with Catherine Connolly or not, 75% of Donegal voted for her. 

“I think we should show the President respect. The meeting should have been put back a wee bit.”

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Following back and forth between Cllr Brogan and Cllr Naughton, the Cathoirleach said: “With all due respect, respect goes both ways. 

“We had not been told she was coming to the county. If it was that important, we would have cancelled it. It was only a few who were invited. Even the Mayor of the county did not get invited. 

“People who spoke Irish were invited. I have nothing against Catherine Connolly.”

Cllr Brogan responded: “You can not say you didn’t know anything about it,” and he noted his lack of fluency in Irish.

“If it was that important, all the councillors would have been invited,” retorted Cllr Naughton. “I am not getting into that debate.”

Killybegs-based Councillor, Niamh Kennedy, said: “She didn’t seem to want anybody to know that she was coming. I hope that is a respect to her.”