Bev attacks Ring as Cllr Martin sends ‘sod off’

MAKING A COMMITMENT Minister Batt O'Keeffe speaks to Caroline Nic Dhonnacha, Príomh Oide Feidhmeach; Cllr Margaret Adams, Anne Marie Corcoran, parent and Deputy Beverley Flynn, TD, at the controversial sod turning for Gaelscoil na Cruaiche.

Bev attacks Ring as Cllr Martin sends ‘sod off’


Áine Ryan

‘PETTY AND BEGRUDGING’ is how Deputy Beverley Flynn has dubbed Deputy Michael Ring’s reaction to the recent turning of the sod at Westport’s Gaelscoil na Cruaiche.
Last week he said the ceremony was ‘a disgrace’ and ‘nothing more than a Fianna Fáil stroke’ since there was no contract signed or no official announcement made yet. He has since sought clarification of the situation from the Education Minister.
Now, Deputy Flynn has accused the Fine Gael TD of displaying ‘sour grapes’ instead of welcoming the ceremony.
She argued that the ‘funding has been allocated, the school listed and all involved, except Deputy Ring, accepts the commitment of the minister to the project’.
“But I have a message for Deputy Ring, and it is this: He will not be thanked by the people of Westport or the people of the Gaelscoil for trying to discredit all we have achieved so far. They are really disappointed that, in his own town, he would pour scorn on something which so many people have worked so hard for,” she said.
“Gaelscoil na Cruaiche has been approved by a Fianna Fáil Minister, on foot of Fianna Fáil representations led by me and it will be delivered by a Fianna Fáil led Government,” she continued.
Her party colleague, Cllr Margaret Adams also reacted angrily to Michael Ring’s assertions, which have  been supported by Labour’s Cllr Keith Martin.
“As far as I am concerned the minister reiterated and reinforced the commitment to the Gaelscoil when he visited it. My focus now is to continue to push forward the case for a new school for Scoil Phádraig and other school extensions in the area,” said Cllr Adams.
She added that herself and Deputy Flynn had facilitated deputations from Scoil Phádraig, Brackloon NS, Lankill NS and the Sacred Heart School during the minister’s visit.
However, at last week’s Fine Gael Town Council local election launch, Cllr Myles Staunton was scathing about the ceremony which he likened to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s ‘middle of the night calling of the last General Election’.
“There were no invitations to any of the other councillors, there were no invitations to the Dáil Deputy (Ring). The project hasn’t even gone out to tender and now parents are very confused,” said Cllr Staunton.
Meanwhile, Cllr Keith Martin categorically told the minister to ‘sod off’ when he returned the sod to his offices requesting that it be sent back to Mayo only when the contract is signed for the school.
“The problem is that this school was given the go-ahead in 2006 and the question is why are the pupils and their parents still waiting for their much promised building,” said Cllr Martin. He also raised the question as to why only Fianna Fáil councillors and the Cathaoirleach were invited to the ceremony.