The Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council was branded “ignorant” in her actions in silencing Councillor Christy Hyland during the annual budget meeting which was held last week.
Cllr Hyland became irate when Cllr Brendan Mulroy asked that politics be left outside the chamber following a criticism of the Government by Cllr Myles Staunton.
Fine Gael councillor Hyland continued to speak as Cllr Mulroy tried to address the chamber. The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tereasa McGuire, asked Cllr Hyland to “behave and have manners”. Cllr McGuire then alluded to Cllr Hyland’s previous career, saying “you cannot behave in this chamber the way you did in your former life”.
Cllr Hyland reacted and said that “no one will silence me in here”, “I’ll shut up when the people of Westport decide that they want to remove me... not when you in your ignorant way tell me to shut up.”
Cllr McGuire was visibly upset by this comment. “You have brought the town council to an all time low with your remarks,” she said. The meeting was adjourned for a few minutes in order for the Cathaoirleach to compose herself.
Cllr Hyland later retracted what he said and he apologised for “the outburst”. “The way I put it was very wrong,” he said, adding that he had “over reacted” to what was said about his former career; which he said he “gave his best shot” even though “I didn’t get it right all of the time.”
