Disappointment for Bree as pact is not honoured
council and he agreed with Cllr Bree that “your word is your bond”.
Cllr Arthur Gibbons (Sinn Fein) said the agreement was broken last year but he would “stick to the agreement”.
The four councillors also joined with other councillors in congratulating Cllr Taylor on his election and wishing him well in the post.
In his acceptance speech Cllr Taylor thanked Cllrs Bree, O’Boyle, Gibbons and Healy for supporting him. “I appreciate the fact that you are proud peole and that your word is your bond,” he said.
In paying tribute to Cllr Taylor, Cllr Queenan referred to the earlier comments.
He said: “My word is my bond, as is Cllr Taylor’s and Cllr Baker’s, but there are times you need courage to put your council and county first.” For the position of leas cathaoirleach, Cllr Gibbons proposed Cllr Healy and he was seconded by Cllr Bree. However, Cllr Baker proposed
Cllr Gilroy and he was seconded by Cllr Queenan.
On a vote, Cllr Gilroy was elected by 13 votes to four, with only Cllrs Bree, Gibbons, Healy and O’Boyle voting for Cllr Healy.
Cllr Healy wished Cllr Gilroy the best of luck but said he was disappointed with Fianna Fail and the Independents who were part of the pact that they did not stick to the agreement.
“It is important to keep your word because your word and your name are the most important things you will ever have in life,” he said.
Cllr Tom MacSharry said that he didn’t “want to take away from the day” but said he “would take issue with certain comments made by Sinn Féin but we can deal with them again”.
Cllr Gibbons said that any comments made were fact. “Nobody can hide from the truth,” he said.