The Mayo News

Suspended councillor Keith Martin has lashed out at the unfairness of the system that sees him outside the council chamber. Criminal could sit on council but I can’t – Martin


Áine Ryan

DEPOSED councillor Keith Martin has lashed out at the unfairness of a system that effectively allows a criminal appealing a court sentence sit on a local authority but bans a member outright for being late with expenses returns.
He told The Mayo News yesterday that if he had ‘committed a crime and was going through the court process, including appealing a conviction’, he could still sit on Westport Town Council and represent his constituents. He cited the example of Galway councillor, Michael ‘The Stroke’ Fahy, who was jailed for fraud in 2007.
“This shows how farcical it is,” said Martin. “I can only wait now and see what happens in the Circuit Court. I hope the case is heard as soon as possible.” 
Meanwhile, the Labour Party in Mayo has expressed its support and solidarity for Keith Martin. Constituency chairman, Mr Sean Sammon told The Mayo News yesterday that the organisation in the town and the county hoped for a positive solution when Mr Martin appeals his suspension in the Circuit Court.
“We hope there will be a positive outcome in the court and that Keith will continue to represent his constituents,” said Mr Sammon.
When questioned by The Mayo News about the co-option of a replacement candidate, Mr Sammon emphatically said that the party ‘will not pre-empt the outcome of the court case’ by taking such a step.
“If Keith fails in his legal bid, the branch will have to meet and make such a decision but we would not make any decision until then,” he continued.
He stressed that members wished to express their ‘solidarity and support’ for Keith. 
Keith Martin was recently removed as a member of  Westport Town Council, or any local authority, for the next five years because he was five days late submitting his Disclosure of Donations and Expenditures documentation regarding his failed bid for membership of Mayo County Council, in the local elections in June last.
Meanwhile, Mr Martin said that he was actively campaigning for a Yes vote in the upcoming Lisbon referendum.
“I got a good mandate from the voters last June, both in the town and county council elections. I have put up the same posters I used for the last referendum and I am out canvassing in my caravan because those who voted for me are looking for leadership on Lisbon,” he said yesterday.
“It is an important referendum,” he added.

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