COUNCIL: Lammas Fair issue raised again

At last Tuesday’s full meeting of Council it was proposed the minutes of the last Planning Committee Meeting were adopted.

Sinn Fein’s Councillor Keiran Mulholland spoke out about an issue which was raised by Councillor George Duddy, claiming a street trader at the Lammas Fair had been selling Republican memorabilia.

“With regards item 15.2 and a street trader at the Lammas Fair, at that meeting I provided a rebuttal to Councillor Duddy’s any other business.

“Councillor Duddy’s complaint but not the response is there. My rebuttal isn’t in.

“Republicanism isn’t a dirty word, it’s not illegal and if Councillor Duddy finds illegal activity at the Lammas Fair or anywhere else, I suggest that he should bring it up with the PSNI and not here.”

Despite Councillor Mulholland’s comments the adoption of the minutes was proposed and seconded.

CODE OF CONDUCT

There were calls of ‘shame, shame’ from the chamber at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Causeway Coast & Glens Council when Sinn Fein Councillor Sean McGlinchey spoke out against Director of Environmental Services Aidan McPeak.

The Sinn Fein Councillor said he “didn’t like the council officer’s attitude” when he was asked to provide £80 for crisps and soft drinks for children who were doing a clean up in Dungiven.

Cllr McGlinchey added: “The old day and the old day attitudes are over” before Chief Executive David Jackson said: “Any complaints about council staff should come through me.”

Alderman Cole then commented: “Councillor McGlinchey’s comments amount to intimidation of a council officer and a breach of the Code of Conduct.”

Alderman Hickey added: “Councillor McGlinchey should withdraw his remarks. This is not the meeting to discuss this matter and he should go through the Chief Executive.”

Councillor McGlinchey refused to withdraw his remarks so DUP’s Councillor John Finlay added that he seconded Alderman Cole’s suggestion that a breach of the Code of Conduct should be investigated.

UUC

Councillors have voted in favour of a motion, tabled by SDLP Alderman Maura Hickey, which expresses “grave concern” over cuts to the UUC campus in Coleraine.