Galway City Council chief executive Brendan McGrath has condemned the threats made to Mayor Mike Cubbard.
Several councillors, including Deputy Mayor Colette Connolly, offered their support to Mayor Cubbard, who has decided to step back from public life for a short period.
A Garda investigation is being carried out and Galway City Council chief executive Brendan McGrath labelled the threats 'appalling, dreadful, and unacceptable' offering full support to Mayor Cubbard.
Mr McGrath said: "I would like to condemn outright any threats made to any democratically elected member of Galway City Council, especially the Mayor. Sadly I would agree with the councillors that this is a growing trend in public life."
Mr McGrath stated that Galway City Council would work very closely with An Garda Siochana about the matter.
Vile abuse and intimidation
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Cllr Colette Connolly as Deputy Mayor chaired Monday's meeting and also spoke about the issue. "We want to convey our support to the Mayor of Galway, to his wife and his family, and to condemn outright the appalling vitriolic abuse and death threats he has been subjected to," she said.
Cllr Cloddagh Higgins also spoke about what Mayor Cubbard was dealing with. "Deputy Mayor, I really think you have conveyed the feelings of not only us as councillors, but also the people of Galway regarding what the Mayor of Galway, Galway's first citizen, has been subjected to," Cllr Higgins said.
Cllr Higgins praised Mayor Cubbard for being 'brave and strong enough' to highlight the issue, but also urged him to 'continue his outstanding service and commitment' to Galway'
"I just want to articulate how disturbed I am also to learn that our Mayor has been subjected to such vile abuse and intimidation in recent times. We have all put ourselves forward to do the best by our communities. Every single one of us elected to Galway City Council have proven that time and time again. Councillor Cubbard as Mayor is no different.
Attacks on politicians
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"I, more than most of you, have first hand knowledge and experience of what it is like as a politician to be attacked, threatened, and intimidated. As many of you know, my own sister, a former senator was subjected to continuous intimidation, stalking, threats to her life were made on numerous occasions over a two year period."
She praised Mayor Cubbard for being 'brave and strong enough' to highlight the issue, but also urged him to 'continue his outstanding service and commitment' to the city of Galway.
