Councillor walks out of meeting in budget protest

SINN Féin Councillor Gerry Murray walked out of a meeting of Mayo County Council this afternoon (Monday) in protest over how the previous week's budget meeting was conducted.

He took issue with cathaoirleach Councillor Brendan Mulroy for refusing an adjournment of the budget meeting, stating it was 'shameful' that he would not accede to this request.

The adjournment was to allow for a counter proposal to an amended budget proposal put forward by Fianna Fáil and supported by the independent grouping.

However, Councillor Mulroy said he had asked five times for a counter proposal and there was none. Had there been one he would have adjourned proceedings so both could be looked at.

The budget, he said, was adopted unanimously as there was no counter proposal.

Fine Gael Councillor Patsy O'Brien said he had sought the adjournment as they had a proposal, but then they couldn't give that alternative as the figures had changed from what they were given before that. They couldn't come up with the figures without an adjournment.

After some heated debate across the council chamber among members, the chief executive, Peter Hynes, said the meeting was run correctly from a procedural point of view and decisions made were above challenge.

Councillor Murray said the issue was the failure to concede to an adjournment.

He made a comment about the 'disgraceful performance' by the cathaoirleach, which he was asked to withdraw or else the meeting would be suspended.

At that stage Councillor Murray indicated he would be leaving the meeting and he immediately did so.