15 July 1998

COUNCILLOR RUNS PARTY GAUNTLET BY REFUSING TO MEET NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

By TOM KELLY

Outspoken Mayo councillor Mr. John Flannery is bracing himself for a legal battle to clear his name over the 'travellers should be tagged' controversy.

The Charlestown -based public representative claims his reputation has been 'dragged through the gutter' by the reporting of comments he made at a meeting of the Western Health Board which, he alleges, were taken out of context.

It is understood Mr. Flannery is bitterly disappointed with the attitude of his own Fine Gael Party which condemned him out of hand without hearing his side of the story. He is also reported to be up in arms over a statement made by party leader, Mr. John Bruton, when a political furore blew up at national level over the affair.

As a result, he has refused on three occasions to attend specially convened meetings of the party's national executive to deal with the issue.

The reason Mr. Flannery did not attend the sessions was because he was not told what charges were being brought against him. He has told close supporters that he would not put himself out on a limb by being 'put on trial by a kangaroo court.'

Speculation is rife that he is running the risk of being expelled by the party over his 'snubbing' of the national executive.

But a source close to the national executive claimed there was no intention of removing the whip from the Mayo councillor.

Said the source: "The matter has become one of public interest. We want to meet with Mr. Flannery and get the matter disposed of as quickly as possible. The process will involve issuing a statement clarifying the situation.

"But Mr. Flannery is not doing himself any favours by refusing to meet the members of the executive. It would be in his interest to do so."

AMAZED BY SUPPORT

Mr. Flannery is adamant that he never suggested that members of the travelling community should be tagged.

It is understood he has a copy of the Western Health Board minutes, signed by outgoing chairman Senator Tom Hussey, which clearly indicated he never made those comments.

Nevertheless, he has been amazed by the level of support, and letters he has received, since the controversy blew up.

So much so, that he is in the process of formulating a suggested party policy to deal with the issue of the travelling community.

But his main priority is to clear his name, a procedure which will bring him into direct conflict with the Fine Gael party and its high-ranking members.

The matter of compensation is being examined by his legal advisers.

There is also speculation that the compensation Mr. Flannery wants is a nomination to stand in next year's European Parliament elections.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998