Fianna Fáil Galway City East councillor, Alan Cheevers, has withdrawn controversial comments made at a meeting of the Galway City Council on January 24.
At the outset of Monday's adjourned meeting on February 1, Cllr Cheevers apologised for comparing Mayor Colette Connolly to Italian fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, and saying that the hosting of meetings were like a "dictatorship".
Cllr Cheevers [pictured below] said he and his Fianna Fáil colleagues plan to hold further discussions with Mayor Connolly.
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"I want to withdraw my comment," Cllr Cheevers said. "It was out of pure frustration, all I am looking for as a councillor is an impartial and balanced debate.
"I welcome the opportunity that you will meet both myself and my group this week. I'm just looking for an impartial and balanced discussion. I apologise, but it is important to get a fair and balanced debate."
Mayor Connolly also spoke about the matter. "In relation to conduct at the last meeting I find it highly objectionable for someone to say I'm running a dictatorship," she said. "I'm appealing to councillors that councillors stick to their own standing orders. I reiterate, it is not correct to say that I'm not respecting councillors."
