16 July 1997
Officials refuse to shake hand of newly elected
chairman
by Tom Kelly
Fianna Fail councillor 'Blackie' Gavin has been elected chairman of Castlebar Urban Council for the first time in controversial circumstances. Two officials of the authority, acting deputy county manager Padraig Hughes and town clerk John Condon, refused to shake the new chairman's hand following his appointment.
Their decision, which caused annoyance in the chamber, harped back to a housing row in the town two years ago when Councillor Gavin openly protested against the two officials following their decision to purchase dwellings in private housing estates for allocation to people on the housing list.
Moments after being elected to the chair as the council's unanimous choice for the position, Mr. Gavin shook hands with the his fellow councillors as well as the three members of the Press in attendance.
But when he extended his hand to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Condon, he was ignored. The other official present, town engineer Mr. Cyril Aitken, did congratulate Mr. Gavin by shaking his hand.
Members of the council was outraged by the amazing slur. Mr. Frank Durcan described the action of the officials as an 'open insult to every man, woman and child in Castlebar' and suggested that the town clerk should be reported to the Minister of the Environment and the Mayo County Manager.
"It is utterly disgraceful that the town clerk refused to shake the chairman's hand. It is a very bad start and the town clerk should be asked to apologise to the first citizen of the town," he added.
Mr. Durcan said in thirty years he had never seen such a display of ignorance and bad manners as had been shown by the town clerk.
The chairman had extended the hand of friendship and had been openly insulted. There was a time when all differences should be buried. In the past he (Mr. Durcan) had also extended the hand of friendship to the town clerk but it was refused.
"I am shocked and horrified and deeply disappointed," said Mr. Durcan.
Mr. Eoin Garavan, outgoing chairman, said during his term he had a great relationship with the town clerk who was most diligent and most intelligent.
"However he should have shaken hands. It is a pity it happened. It should not have happened."
Mr. Paddy McGuinness said it was an embarrassing incident and he would prefer it had not happened. However name calling was no help and he was prepared to offer his assistance to mediate between the chairman and the officials.
NOTE OF RANCOUR
Mr. Johnny Mee said he was sorry to see the year start off on a note of rancour. The difficulties had to be worked out as it was vital there was a good working relationship between the chairman and the officials.
Mr. Paul Ainsworth congratulated the chairman on his election and assured him of any help he could give. He did not think personal attacks on officials improved the image of the council. If people were mature enough they could work out their differences. "There are ways of sorting things out," he added.
Mr. Sean Bourke said it was regrettable that the incident happened. If there was anything he could do to smooth things over between the chairman and the officials he would be only too happy to try.
Mr. Gavin said it was a great honour for him to be chairman and he looked forward to a term that would prove successful for the town.
"I look forward to working with everyone in the chamber. I want to make Castlebar one of the finest towns in the E.U." He said he had a job to do and intended to get on with it. He was a Castlebar man and proud of it. When people got involved in politics, it meant they had to take knocks and he had taken his share.
"There was an obstacle in front of me tonight but it won't stop me doing my job. I am a very happy man here tonight and very proud and I will work with all the members for the good of Castlebar," he said.
When pressed on the matter following the meeting, both Mr. Hughes and Mr. Condon refused to comment. But Mr. Hughes did not rule out the prospect of a statement being issued on their behalf in due course.
It is understood that both officials are still upset by public statements made about them by Mr. Gavin during the bitter housing row two years ago.
