Local councillor ejected during ‘shambolic’ meeting

THERE were angry exchanges during a “shambolic” council meeting in which the Fermanagh and Omagh District vice-chair Chris McCaffrey ejected a member and refused to permit him back in.

While one party colleague commended him for throwing out independent councillor Emmet McAleer, an independent member warned the vice-chair would be remembered for “thwarting a democratic process”.

Earlier in the meeting, Cllr McAleer had raised the recent BBC Spotlight programme on the Dalradian mining company’s presence in the Sperrins.

He proposed council write to one of the experts who appeared in the programme, Stephen H Emmerman PhD, to establish if he would work with the council ahead on the pending public inquiry.

“His knowledge would be invaluable to us… and from what we’ve seen he’s the best man for the job,” said Cllr McAleer. “I know people who don’t agree will question the cost, even though they support providing security to the mining industry at public cost.”

Chief executive, Alison McCullagh, said correspondence could be sent but on a “without prejudice” basis.

Cllr McAleer’s proposal passed 14 votes to six. A second proposal by Ulster Unionist Robert Irvine to invite another expert featured on the programme, who held differing views, to speak with members was also passed.

When enquiries were raised around potential conflicts of interest with the second expert, the vice-chair ruled, “We cannot deal with accusations.”

Cllr McAleer then said, “This is absolutely shambolic. Sinn Fein remained mute the last time and are now trying to claim the glory. What is going on with your party?”

The vice-chair responded by ordering Cllr McAleer’s eviction from the meeting.

Cllr Irvine’s proposal passed 18 votes to four.

When Cllr Bernice Swift enquired if Councillor McAleer could re-join, the vice-chair said, “He has been excluded due to continuous interruption to my chairmanship.”

Councillor Swift shot back, “That’s what you’ll be remembered for. You thwarted the democratic process of a man elected by the people of his area.”

When two non-Sinn Fein members tried to voice concerns, the vice-chair declared the meeting closed, then proceeded to allow a party colleague to speak.

Cllr Stephen McCann commended the handling of the meeting, adding “well done” on evicting Cllr McAleer.

It is understood a number of complaints have been made in respect of the vice-chair’s conduct.

By Tanya Fowles, Local Democracy Reporter