Galway county councillors Tom Healy and Thomas Welby are calling for city councillor Padraig Conneely to apologise for remarks the Fine Gael councillor made about County Mayor Michael Connolly and the county council at the city council budget meeting.
Cllr Conneely described the County Mayor as “pop-up stand” because he was appearing at every Capital of Culture event in the city, and said the county council was “piggy-backing” on the city’s councils efforts but was not paying its way.
Sinn Féin councillor Tom Healy said: “Cllr Padraig Conneely insulted this council. I quote him verbatim ‘They do not have a shilling. They are broke and they will not give us the money we are owed.’ He should apologise and should be held accountable.”
Connemara area councillor Thomas Welby said Cllr Conneely’s comments were downright disrespectful. “Cllr Conneely’s comments to the Cathaoirleach were very insulting. Someone in Fine Gael should make an apology to the council. We are in partnership with city council and the County Mayor is entitled to turn up at any event in city.”
Fine Gael councillor Eileen Mannion said Cllr Conneely’s remarks were outrageous and should not be given any oxygen.
