Cllr McBrearty's behaviour condemned by councillors in Donegal MD

Councillors in the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal have condemned what they described as the vulgar and scurrilous behaviour of Cllr Frank McBrearty (Ind).

Gardaí had to be called to a council meeting on Monday after Cllr McBrearty, who had been suspended the previous week, disrupted proceedings. Councillors at the Aura Leisure Centre on Monday voted to take High Court Proceedings against Cllr McBrearty. 

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Municipal District of Donegal, Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) said: “It would be remiss of our MD not to speak about the behaviour that went on at plenary level yesterday. It is important to our work here that things can be passed at plenary level.

“Although he was suspended from Donegal County Council, Cllr Frank McBrearty came to the Aura with the intention of disrupting the meeting.”

Cllr Jordan said that as a result, no council business could be discussed.

“Yesterday was deplorable,” he said. “Cllr McBrearty’s behaviour was offensive and vulgar and totally unacceptable in any workplace.”

Cathaoirleach of Donegal MD, Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) said it was important that the message went out that the whole council was united in speaking out against Cllr McBrearty’s behaviour.

“I agree that Cllr McBrearty be allowed the right to say and bring across his point of view and that has been done. But to turn up at meetings and disrupt proceedings and not allow other things to go ahead is not acceptable.

Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) said it had been very upsetting to see Cllr McBrearty say something hurtful to a member of the council about a relative of the member who had died in a tragic accident. 

"My heart goes out to him." he said. “I don’t think anybody should have to put up with that."

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind) said the issue had been going on for months on end.

“A new member couldn’t even get on to the council yesterday or on the previous Monday. He was waiting there with his family. It is not good enough.”

Cllr Micheál Naughton said it had been one of the darkest days of Donegal County Council.

“My biggest fear is that there will be casualties if this doesn’t stop,” he said. “There is a lot of talk about mental health as we come out of the Covid pandemic.”

The councillors were all vocal in their support of Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray and members of the council executive for what they had to endure on an ongoing basis.

They were also united in expressing their wish to be allowed to carry out their obligations as elected councillors without the ongoing disruption caused by Cllr McBrearty.