'Bull****' row erupts at Moyle Council

A 'BULL****' row erupted at a meeting of Moyle Council last night (Monday) prompting a delayed walkout by SDLP councillor Madeline Black.

She said ex-Sinn Fein councillor Paudie McShane had said she was talking 'bull****' after she told how several people in the community wanted to know his status now as a councillor.

Cllr Black stayed in the meeting until after a Planning Service report but then said she was leaving "with regret because of the way I have been treated by this councillor".

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Earlier Cllr Black said she wanted an apology and if she didn’t get it she was leaving the chamber but an apology never came. Cllr Black said it was the second occasion she had been spoken to in a similar manner by Cllr McShane.

She said: "I will not be spoken to like that in this chamber. How dare you.”

And she said Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham had been spoken to in a "far worse" manner by Cllr McShane.

That was a reference to an incident last year when Cllr McShane used several swear words in the Council chamber.

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Last night (Monday), in reference to his status as a councillor, Cllr McShane said anyone who read the press since his resignation would know his position and he said he was not discussing it further.

Cllr McShane's sister, Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane who was chairing the meeting, said the original question from Cllr Black was "totally irrelevant" as her brother is now Independent.

Cllr Seamus Blaney (Independent) said it is important to know Cllr McShane's status and Cllr Black said it is of interest with the Council Annual General Meeting coming up.

Cllr Paudie McShane said he never said a word what about what or what not his status is but he said following his resignation he was an "Independent person".

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And it was at that stage he accused Cllr Black of talking "drivel and bull****".

In a statement after the meeting, Cllr Paudie McShane described Councillor Black’s question as “badgering and suggested she was ably assisted by Councillor Blaney”.

Cllr Mc Shane said: "I'd like to make it clear, I have no reason to apologise to any Councillor. Councillor Black’s performance seemed designed, simply to attract headlines. I refused to buy into this foolish gamesmanship.

“The Councillor has shown a strong urge to flip-flop on key issues brought before Council including Tesco and in particular, Rathmoyle. If her only avenue open to making headlines is to badger other Councillors, then I wish to have no part in it.

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"For the record, I have informed the Chief Executive of my status within Council. I am a proud, unashamed Irish Republican from a strong family with similar qualities. I was elected to serve the people of the Glens and Moyle as an Irish Republican. I will continue to serve the people of this area as such, no matter from what quarter they are drawn."

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