Acquitted councillor won't be seeking public apology from Fine Gael
By Tom KellyOUTSPOKEN Mayo Fine Gael councillor John Flannery has indicated he will not be seeking a public apology from his party following his acquittal in Galway Court of making remarks, at a meeting of the Western Health Board last May, which were likely to incite hatred against the travelling community. The Charlestown -based public representative was bitterly disappointed by the attitude of Fine Gael's national executive which condemned him out of hand last May before hearing his side of the story in the 'travellers should be tagged' controversy. He was also up in arms over a statement made by party leader, Mr. John Bruton, when a political row blew up at national level over the affair. In an act of protest, Mr. Flannery had refused on three occasion to attend specially convened meetings of the party's national executive to deal with the matter. Speaking to the Connaught Telegraph last night (Tuesday), Mr. Flannery said he would probably put his dispute with his party behind him. . .although he has yet to be ratified as a candidate in next June's local elections despite being selected at the party's convention in Swinford several weeks ago. He said: "I have no reason to take this matter any further. The party is much bigger than a few people at the top. They did not come to talk to me and I was left to work things out. I now believe I have been vindicated. It was a great victory, not only for me but for democracy and the judicial system in this country." Mr. Flannery spoke of the 'huge personal relief' he was experiencing since Judge Tom Fitzpatrick handed down his acquittal verdict on Monday. "I have lived in isolation for the past nine months. I have had to plough a very lonely furrow. It was not easy for somebody who had also to attend to their jobs as a public representative. I did not look for sympathy or support. But my constituents stood by me when I needed them most." Mr. Flannery, a farmer who lives at Lavey, Charlestown, declined to comment on claims that he may sue a number of newspapers for defamation of character over the affair. He pointed out that he would be footing his legal costs 'out of his own pocket.' "I will be paying every penny myself. I did not seek contributions from anyone to help pay the costs of defending myself. I would not have accepted such contributions. This issue was never considered by me at any stage." Mr. Flannery stated he was very happy with his choice of solicitor, Mr. Ward McEllin, whose practice is based in Claremorris. "He handed my case in a very professional manner and I thank him sincerely," he added. He said he was looking forward to getting back to his life as a public representative without the worry of the court case. "I am going to be a force to be reckoned with. I feel like a new man ready to do the best I can for the part of Mayo I was elected to represent." He would be pursuing a number of key issues over the coming months, including launching a campaign for people in the county suffering from cataracts as well as those in need of hip and joint operations. Mr. Flannery will also be fighting to improve the plight of the farmer and would be 'putting his back behind' the bid to retain Objective One status for the Western region.
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