Durcan-Ruane row overshadows new VEC post

Durcan-Ruane row overshadows new VEC post


Trevor Quinn

Sinn Féin Cllr Therese Ruane was nominated to represent Castlebar Town Council on Mayo VEC amidst heated exchanges at last week’s Town Council meeting last Thursday.
The furore erupted after Fine Gael backed Cllr Ruane (pictured) for the position with Mayor Ger Deere nominating her and Cllr Brendan Heneghan seconding the secondary school teacher for the position.
Independent Cllr Frank Durcan objected to Cllr Ruane being given the post on the basis that he had witnessed her picketing outside Castlebar Garda Station in the aftermath of the Corrib ‘Rape Tape’ controversy.
Cllr Durcan said he was also aware that Cllr Ruane was outside Belmullet Garda Station in recent days protesting over the much-publicised issue and he questioned her motives in doing so.
He said: “The Garda Station is one of the most democratic institutions in the state and I for one will not support such a person.”
Cllr Durcan referred to Sinn Féin as being a ‘terrorist’ party adding, “I think it’s an indictment of the people of this Council that we support a Sinn Féin Councillor for this position. I doubt very much that it is the wish of the Castlebar people.
“I have the greatest support for the Garda SíochΡna in this country, and I don’t think they should be picketed by Sinn Féin people.”
Mayor Ger Deere defended Cllr Ruane and said that what Cllr Ruane does in her own private time should be her own business.
Cllr Brendan Heneghan pointed out that Cllr Durcan should take note of the unity that was recently shown at PSNI officers Ronan Kerr’s funeral in Northern Ireland when Taoiseach Enda Kenny, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy Minister Martin McGuinness came together in solidarity. The Fine Gael Councillor said: “In the week that is in it, I think your comments are totally inappropriate.”
Cllr Ruane said she believed she had every right to protest over Garda comments, which were highly insulting, derogatory and ‘demonised women’. She said that it was time that Cllr Durcan moved on, adding that he was stuck in a ‘time-warp’.
Cllr Ruane was supported by the majority of the Councillors for the position. She said she believed that she had the expertise and the suitability to perform very well in the position. “I have a strong background in education having worked as a secondary school teacher for 12 years and worked at third level as well. I am fully aware of the structures of Mayo VEC and I am passionate about education.”