Councillor accused of sullying Freedom

A CITY councillor was given the red card for trying to discuss organising an outdoor event when Cork confers the Freedom of the City on Roy Keane and Sonia O’Sullivan next month.

Both sports starts confirmed this week they will attend the ceremony in City Hall on June 14.

But Cllr Mick Barry was ruled offside when he tried again to raise the issue of city bosses organising an outdoor event to include the people of Cork.

But city manager Joe Gavin said the event will be held indoors, as that was the tradition. However, Lord Mayor Seán Martin said it had already been decided the ceremony would take place indoors.

Fine Gael’s Jerry Buttimer accused Mr Barry of sullying the Freedom of the City by trying to raise the issue.

“We are doing the two people involved and the Lord Mayor a disservice,” Mr Buttimer said.

Mr Barry said it was “brilliant the two outstanding athletes are being honoured with the Freedom of the City”.

Fianna Fáil’s Terry Shannon proposed city bosses organise a type of lottery to allocate a certain amount of tickets to the ceremony to the representatives of city soccer and sporting clubs.

Fine Gael’s Brian Bermingham suggested key parts of the ceremony take place on the steps of City Hall facing Terence McSwiney Quay.

It is understood city officials are looking at the possibility of erecting big screens outside City Hall.