Posted online: Mar 12th, 2010

A war of words erupted this week with a furious Cllr. Frank McBrearty blasting Sen. Brian O’Domhnaill for trying to claim credit for representations and works done in connection with a Raphoe housing estate and the Finn Valley pool project.
Tuesday’s Stranorlar Electoral Area meeting on Teusday had to be adjourned at one stage as tempers frayed with Cllr. McBrearty shouting loudly during a spat with Cllr. Patrick McGowan.
“I will not allow people from parties who are not councillors from this area to get the credit for the Finn Valley Pool (project); it’s the five councillors in here who are have collectively come together on that issue,” he stated.
Turning to works at the Meadowhill estate in Raphoe, Cllr. McBrearty produced a letter and newsletter from Sen. O’Domhnaill which was posted out – at the taxpayers’ expense, he claimed – to residents.
And he declared: “No one will take credit for the work that I am doing,” adding that he had a letter from the residents’ association recognizing the work that he has done.
When Cllr. Patrick McGowan interrupted on a point of order an incensed Cllr. McBrearty re-iterated his criticism of Sen. O’Domhnaill and matters became very heated.
“Stop interrupting me,” Cllr. McBrearty shouted.
“I am not here to be lectured,” Cllr. McGowan replied. “More than one senator in this country sends out letters.”
Re-iterating that he would not accept others taking the credit for work he had done, Cllr. McBrearty directed his comments again at Cllr. McGowan, and shouted: “If you do not shut up, I will put a muzzle on you.”
With the chairman of the meeting, Cllr. Gerry Crawford struggling to keep matters under control, Cllr. McBrearty then added: “Who do you think you are dealing with, Mr. McGowan?”
Cllr. Crawford called on the councillors to have a bit of respect for each other and said that there would be “no repeat of the nonsense going on.”
Around ten minutes later, the meeting was adjourned for a “comfort break” after Cllr. McBrearty started to propose that they call on the Government to end its embargo on public sector recruitment.
Before he had his sentence finished, Cllr. McGowan seconded the motion. This sparked off another row, and the meeting was adjourned for a brief period.