The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Councillors argue over McElduff antics
‘YOU’VE always been a disgrace to nationalism’ was the charge levelled at Cllr Michael Gleeson by SF’s Cllr Robert Beasley at Monday’s meeting of Kerry County Council where a heated exchange erupted between both councillors.
The row started after Cllr Gleeson tabled a motion on the virtues of ‘free will and personal conscience’ and how each individual, either in private or in public life, is entitled without penalty or censure to express publicly their beliefs.
“As respect for personal conscience of each individual is the second most fundamental of all Rights and the very essence of what it means to be a rational human being, respect for that right should be enshrined in the Irish Constitution,” he said.
Cllr Gleeson went on to praise ‘free will’ by citing the voluntary actions of organisations such as the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team who through their own free will help people. However, the motion took a nasty turn when Cllr Gleeson digressed to say that ‘free will’ even extended to the ‘horrendous’ actions of Tyrone West MLA Barry McElduff who recently sparked controversy when placing a loaf of Kingsmill bread on his head, ‘mocking the massacre’ according to Cllr Gleeson, of 10 Protestant workman in the village of Kingsmill in south Armagh by the IRA 42 years ago.
The remark came just hours after McElduff announced his resignation over his actions. But Cllr Beasley confronted Cllr Gleeson unleashing a barrage of criticism.
“There was several massacres in the past,” he shouted. “My ancestors like many more fought for Irish freedom. But if they were anything like Michael Gleeson there would have been damn all done. I’m sick of this sort of tone from Cllr Gleeson and his pro-British and pro-conservative talk. You have always been a disgrace to nationalism,” Cllr Beasley added.
However, Cllr Gleeson’s stood over his comments calling what Mr McElduff did as a deplorable act. Cllr Toiréasa Ferris also said that Mr McElduff was sorry for what he did.
Once order was restored, Cllr Norma Moriarty said while she agreed with the substance of Cllr Gleeson’s motion she said much of it was covered under sections of the ‘Incitement to Hatred Act’.