Flynn’s record will never be matched – Gavin

Flynn’s record will never be matched - Gavin


Edwin McGreal
edwinmcgreal@mayonews.ie

Padraig Flynn’s record of achievements for Mayo will never be equalled by any politician argues Castlebar Fianna FΡil councillor, Blackie Gavin.
In what will be interpreted as a shot across the bows at An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Cllr Gavin made the statement at a recent meeting of the Castlebar Fianna FΡil Cumann in the Welcome Inn Hotel.
There it was unanimously agreed that a vote of thanks and appreciation be extended to former EU commissioner  Mr Flynn for his work on behalf of Castlebar and Mayo during his years as a TD and minister.
Mr Flynn resigned from the Fianna FΡil party at the end of March after the release of Mahon Tribunal Report prompted the Fianna FΡil parliamentary party propose a motion that he be expelled from the party, together with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
However at the Fianna FΡil Cumann meeting in Castlebar, several members spoke of the various infrastructural projects which Mr Flynn had secured during his term as Minister for the Environment.
“The Flynn record speaks for itself,” said Cllr Gavin. “This county benefitted from a whole range of major projects for which he was responsible. All of the infrastuctural advantages we enjoy in Mayo today were a direct result of him representing his county with such drive and determination over his years in Government. What he did for Mayo will never be equalled by any public representative of any persuasion.”
When asked by The Mayo News last night about the Mahon Tribunal findings that Mr Flynn had corruptly sought and received a payment of £50,000 from developer Tom Gilmartin in 1989, Cllr Gavin remained tight-lipped and said it was a ‘private matter’.
“What happened in the Mahon Tribunal is a private matter. It didn’t involve any public funds, it was a private matter between himself and Tom Gilmartin,” he told The Mayo News.
After the Tribunal findings were released, Mr Flynn issued a short statement saying he rejected the finding that he had received a corrupt payment.
The Castlebar Fianna FΡil Cumann meeting expressed its regret at Mr Flynn’s resignation from the  Fianna Fail party with several members noting that his family had been founding members of the Castlebar Cumann.

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