Councillors clash over photoshoot announcing new toilets in Cahore

TWO Councillors clashed at a Gorey Kilmuckridge District meeting recently over the new toilets installed at Cahore beach.

Cathaoirleach Pip Breen was frustrated that Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin had organised a photoshoot which announced the opening of the new toilets at Cahore beach when he “had basically nothing to do with it,” according to Cllr Breen.

“I would have been the instigator of it, I sourced the money and sourced everything for it. It’s half done and still to be finished.

“A Councillor from this room, took it upon himself to go down there over the weekend and ask the Guardian photographer to go with him.

He asked two comrades to go with him and took photographs,” said Cllr Breen.

Cllr Ó Súilleabháin denied that he’d opened the toilets saying, “the toilets were open for St Patrick’s Day weekend which is fantastic and I thanked Enda for it and George and Gerry. I thought it was a very welcome thing and I don’t see how anyone would find fault with that”.

He went on to say that he acknowledged many of the local people that were involved with the project. “Hang on, you didn’t mention Mary or me. You mentioned the local people,” said Cllr Breen in response and asked why Cllr Ó Súilleabháin claimed that the people he was photographed with were local people.

Cllr Breen said he had previously warned Cllr Ó Súilleabháin not to claim things he had nothing to do with.

“I would also take it that all the work must be done in Gorey and north Wexford when the Councillor is coming down into Kilmuckridge, not his area, to claim things. I had this issue with you with Éire Street as well Fionntáin,” said Cllr Breen.