The Letterkenny Leisure Centre controversy plunged into new depths this week as tempers flared and allegations flew during a protest held before the Town Council meeting.

At the core of the row was the wording on some of the placards carried by some of the protesters.

Cllr Damien Blake accused Frances McCafferty of Letterkenny Community Residents’ Association of using the protest for political gain while Mr McCafferty accused Cllr Blake of using the protest as a smokescreen to avoid discussing the fate of the leisure centre.

Mr McCafferty told the Letterkenny Post that they were exercising their legitimate right to protest.

He continued: “There were around 100 protesters, mainly made up of children and elderly people and while it was boisterous and noisy, no way was there any form of intimidation.

“If councillors were feeling intimidated it was because they have turned their backs on the electorate, not because they were heckled or jostled,” he maintained.

However, Cllr Blake lambasted Mr McCafferty for refusing to distance himself from the ‘offensive’ wording on some of the placards.

He said: “I was shocked and disgusted by what I saw on some of those placards, from which the Swilly Seals completely distanced themselves which was more than Francis McCafferty did, despite me asking him to do so several times.

“I fully support the Swilly Seals right to protest and will remain more than willing to engage with them and if they have any new information that will further the negotiations I am happy to listen to them.

“But if Francis McCafferty refuses to distances himself from the contemptuous comments on one particular placard, I feel there is no point in talking.”

Mr McCafferty said the Community Residents Association will continue to campaign for the retention of the leisure centre on the High Road and will attend the next monthly meeting of the Town Council scheduled for April.

He confirmed, too, that another protest was not yet ruled out and a final decision would be made next week.

The new E18m leisure centre is due to open at the end of May, but the existing leisure centre will be put up for sale by the council to raise funds towards the new project. Some people believe that the town council should operate two such facilities and concern has been expressed about its location and possible higher charges.