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COUNCILLOR DURCAN MAKES NEW ALLEGATIONS OF PLANNING CORRUPTION Official shocked by vindictive nature of personal attacks A leading Mayo County Council official has spoken publicly for the first time of the shock he experienced since being appointed manager of Castlebar Urban Council a year ago. Mr. Alex Fleming said in his 18 years involvement in local government he never came across an authority like Castlebar Urban Council in which personal attacks on people's integrity were so prevalent. He stated he had worked with councillors who questioned planning decisions, but they did not resort to the type of vindictive behaviour which has become common place at meetings of the Castlebar council. Mr. Fleming made his hard-hitting comments following allegations by Mr. Frank Durcan that 'a favour' had been extended in a planning decision to an elected member of the council who he named as Mr. Paddy McGuinness. Mr. Durcan claimed it was 'sinister and outrageous' how Mr. McGuinness had been given planning permission for a development at the old Hat Factory site, Newport Road, when the technical advice suggested it was not a suitable project for the location in question. He further alleged that 'a travesty of justice' had been committed by the council's planning office when planning permission was refused to Walter Donoghue for the provision of a soft furnishings outlet at the same derelict location. Said Mr. Durcan: "I am at a loss to know why the council ruled in favour of one and not the other." He alleged one of the reason why was because Mr. McGuinness was 'worth something' to the planning officials and Mr. Donoghue was not. "What has happened makes a mockery of the planning laws and is skulduggery at its best. In 36 years in public life I have never seen such an unjust ruling. "The ramifications of this are horrendous. Ordinary citizens cannot be ensured of impartiality when making a planning application to this council. "This is positive proof that our planning system is corrupt." Mr. Durcan appealed to other members of the council 'to back him in his support for justice.' POSED QUESTIONS The support was not forthcoming. But Mr. Eoin Garavan did agree the entire matter posed questions that needed to be answered. The meeting had been adjourned for ten meetings in order for the necessary planning files to be produced on the proposal of Mr. Durcan, seconded by Mr. Blackie Gavin, chairman. Before that stage, Mr. McGuinness had left the meeting after declaring a vested interest. Mr. Cyril Aitken, town engineer, was asked to read an extract from the senior planner's report in respect of Mr. McGuinness's application, dated March 12th, 1997, for a shopping unit. The senior planner in question, Mr. Iain Douglas, stated in his report that the proposal would contravene the town development plan and would have a serious impact on town centre shops. Mr. Douglas also stated the project would lead to increased traffic in a residential area. Mr. Durcan also asked Mr. Aitken to explain why Mr. Walter Donoghue's application, dated May 30th, 1997, had been refused. Mr. Aitken said the reason for refusing the Donoghue application on July 22nd last was because the project contravened the town development plan. The senior planner, in respect of the Donoghue application, indicated the overall site was being developed in a piece-meal fashion with no provision being made for carparking. Mr. Alex Fleming responded to the criticism levelled at the planning office. He explained a similar situated existed at the old Bacon Factory site where the council was not permitted by the town developments plan to grant permission for commercial premises. But the council had granted permission for premises selling heavy goods. The same approach had been taken in respect of the old Hat Factory site. STRICT CONDITIONS He said Mr. McGuinness had been granted planning permission for his development, and the application contained a series of strict conditions about which the applicant had complained. The other applicant, Mr. Donoghue, had a fresh application before the authority which was submitted on October 3rD last and was under consideration. Mr. Fleming said Mr. Donoghue had the option of appealing the previous decision if he was not happy with it. "If I make a mistake, it is up to the applicant to appeal. That's why the appeals mechanism is there. "If you go through all the planning files in this office, you are bound to come up with some inconsistencies. "I am getting tired with the vindictive, personal attacks being carried out at these meetings. If it is not one thing with Councillor Durcan it is another. "I thought we had some agreement in regard to getting our business done at meetings. But that seems to have gone by the wayside. "The allegations being made in the case are totally wrong." Mr. Garavan said Mr. Fleming did not answer the question properly in regard to why the McGuinness application was granted an the Donoghue one was not. Mr. Johnny Mee said he understood all planning application were treated the same no matter who submitted them. If this was not the case, he would be concerned. "I have clashed with Mr. McGuinness in the past on certain political issues. But there is one thing I can say about him with certainty. He is a man of integrity and honour. "Serious allegations have been made. They have serious connotations. Paddy McGuinness should be given the right of a reply. "He is a man who has provided a lot of jobs for Castlebar. He was instrumental in bringing the Regional Technical College to Castlebar. He has made a huge contributing in the promotion of industry for Castlebar. STOMACH TURNS "My stomach turns with the type of allegations being made." Mr. Mee walked out of the meeting shortly after making his statement. He admitted afterwards he did so because he was disgusted by what happened at the meeting. Mr. Durcan said he had no argument with Mr. McGuinness. "I support Mr. McGuinness. Good luck to him. What I am seeking is fair play for everybody." When Mr. McGuinness returned to the meeting after the chairman moved to the third item on the agenda two and a half hour after the meeting had commenced, he said he found it disturbing that questions about his business should be 'thrown around this table.' "I am upset and disturbed by that and I am not in the proper frame of mind to speak on two pressing issues on the agenda." Mr. McGuinness then left the meeting. He was followed shortly afterwards by Mr. Mee. As only four members were remaining, namely Mr. Gavin, Mr. Ainsworth, Mr. Garavan and Mr. Durcan (Mr. Sean Bourke and Mr. Liam Coady had also left earlier due to pressing personal matters and Senator Paddy Burke was unavoidably absent) it was decided to adjourn the meeting. All of this time, members of the Springfield Residents Association and representatives of local taxi operators had been waiting patiently for decisions to be made on matters of urgency for them.
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