Elected Sinn Féin councillors stormed out of today’s full meeting of Kerry County Council.
It came following heated exchanges with independent councillor Charlie Farrelly, over a letter on cutting grass.
Cllr Farrelly raised a motion requesting that insurance be extended to council registered residents associations, similar to tidy towns groups.
He said the age profile of such committees are getting older and outlined the case of one having trouble in drawing down grants.
Cllr Farrelly then referenced a letter which he claimed was sent by Deputy Pa Daly’s office to residents of a Castleisland estate, which led to the dispute.
Cllr Farrelly told the meeting that the letter states local Sinn Féin members would cut the grass in the estate and claimed it had contacted the four local councillors in relation to this.
Seconding the motion, Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae stated the local councillors were never contacted, and the councillors had in fact purchased a lawnmower for €900 last year for these residents.
Cllr Farrelly said the letter is a lie and asked Cllr Paul Daly to bring it back to his “army council” or whoever he wanted to, which led to heated exchanges.
Cllr Daly responded that he was completely unaware of what Cllr Farrelly was speaking about and requested him to withdraw the allegation.
Cllr Deirdre Ferris asked Cathaoirleach Breandán Fitzgerald, if he is going to allow statements on Sinn Féin and an army council to stand; adding if he does not intervene, she will be taking the matter further.
Councillors Ferris and Daly left the chamber as their party colleague Cllr Robert Brosnan said there is dirty digs going on and demanded an apology.
Cllr's Brosnan and Tom Barry followed their fellow Sinn Féin members from the council chamber shortly after.
Cllr Farrelly withdrew the words “army council”, which he said were in jest; and clarified his position that Deputy Pa Daly and Sinn Féin sent the letter.
