Shiels to stay away

Independent councillor Dessie Shiels says he has no intention of attending county council meetings in the foreseeable future.

The Letterkenny councillor has said he will only return to the council chamber in Lifford in order to help bring forward  “rules” over ethics in the council.

Cllr. Shiels said in January that he cannot “do business or associate in a council chamber” with Cllr. John O’Donnell after his appearance in a RTÉ programme where he appeared to agree to undertake work for payment for a bogus wind farm company.  

Cllr. O’Donnell faced calls for his resignation but has denied any wrongdoing.

Donegal County Council has launched an investigation into the broadcast.

Cllr. Shiels has now elaborated on those comments about his attendance, saying he will not be returning to county council meetings anytime soon.  He has not attended three council meetings this year.

Cllr. Shiels said he won’t attend the chamber in Lifford  unless “for procedural reasons” to introduce rules on ethics.

The independent councillor walked out of the January meeting of the Letterkenny Municipal District when Cllr. O’Donnell attended. 

Cllr. Shiels did not attend the municipal district meetings in February or March nor did he attend the full meeting of the council in January.

He confirmed that his absence from last week’s municipal district meeting was due to Cllr. O'Donnell’s attendance. He confirmed he is not intending to attend any council meetings in the foreseeable future.