WAR OF WORDS AS BIDEN VISITS
Council was split on giving freedom of Louth to US vice-president – before granting honour
A CIVIC WAR OF WORDS broke out on Monday when a number of councillors objected to Joe Biden being granted the freedom of Co. Louth.
The vice-president of the United States is making a private trip to the Cooley peninsula to see his ancestral home, as part of a six-day visit to Ireland.
While Mr Biden is in Carlingford next Saturday, it was proposed at the council meeting to bestow upon him the freedom of the county ‘as a returning son of Louth’.
The vice-president’s ancestors are Finnegans, from Whitestown in Cooley.
However, Colm Markey, Kevin Callan and Richie Culhane all spoke against giving Mr Biden the accolade, after the meeting adopted a set of protocols for the awarding of civic honours.
They argued it was being done in haste, and that the council should stick with the system it has, rather than take an initiative open to it, to grant the freedom of Louth.
At one point, newly-elected chairman, Paul Bell, withdrew the proposal, as ‘it did not enjoy the consensus of the meeting.’
However, it was finally agreed to grant Mr Biden the honour.
THE freedom of Co. Louth will be bestowed on Joe Biden in Carlingford next Saturday, but councillors were split for a time on Monday before deciding to award the highest accolade to the vice-president of the United States.
The distinguished guest begins a six-day visit to Ireland today, and his itinerary includes a private trip to north Louth to see his ancestral home.
At the start of the annual general meeting, before he vacated his place at the top table, outgoing chairman, Cllr Peter Savage proposed a civic award be given to Mr Biden.
An indication of what was to follow came when Cllr Maeve Yore interrupted to ask, ‘What has he done?’
Chief executive, Joan Martin said it is in recognition ‘of a son of Louth who has done well’ and is returning as vice-president of the United States.
Mr Biden’s ancestors, the Finnegans, are from Whitestown.
It was agreed the proposal could take its place on the agenda.
The business of the meeting also included councillors adopting a protocol for the awarding of civic honours.
There is latitude in it for the districts of Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda to do what they feel is appropriate in their areas, but only the county council can make a civic award.
Ms Martin said it is also open to members of the council to initiate an honour of the freedom of County Louth, if they wish. It has not been used in the past.
The chief executive explained it is really more of an internationally recognised term, with a status over and above a civic award.
However, Cllr Kevin Callan said it is ‘ too hasty’ for the freedom of County Louth, and the council ‘ should stick to the system we have.’
Cllr Savage proposed to grant the freedom of the county to Mr Biden, adding ‘ let’s not be small-minded about this.’
‘ The ink is not dry on the protocols, and we are already awarding the freedom of Co Louth,’ said Cllr Colm Markey.
Lodging his objection, he agreed with Cllr Callan that this is being ‘ done in haste.’
‘I’d be wary of a situation of names being bandied about in the chamber, when these people may not get an award,’ the Fine Gael representative continued.
Chairman, Cllr Paul Bell disagreed, saying the council should be bestowing the ‘ highest available honour on our guest.’
He proposed the vice-president be granted the freedom of Louth, which was seconded by Cllr Emma Coffey.
Cllr Richie Culhane said it is too hasty to create an award, but the chairman replied the reason for it is Mr Biden’s relationship with the county.
‘Let’s make a decision. Have a roll call,’ suggested Cllr Marianne Butler.
Cllr Callan proposed the highest existing honour be awarded, rather than ‘create something new.’
The chairman withdrew his proposal, remarking ‘it doesn’t enjoy the consensus of the chamber.’
But Cllr Mark Dearey said it’s in the legislation, and open to councillors to offer the freedom of the county.
‘We are crackers, if we don’t give him the highest honour,’ said Cllr Tommy Byrne.
Cllr Frank Godfrey said he did not want this ‘message of division’ to go out from the meeting.
‘We shouldn’t be afraid to go for it, but we shouldn’t have to go to a vote,’ he continued.
Cllr Oliver Tully said the council should give the highest award it can, and Cllr Butler asked that the meeting go in committee (be held in private).
However, Cllr Callan said he would withdraw his objection.
‘It shouldn’t have been left until today. I will support it.’
The chairman, Paul Bell made the proposal again, to grant the freedom of Co Louth to Mr Biden, and it was carried without a roll call or show of hands, and he declared it a unanimous decision.