Editor gets down and dirty in Donegal

FLEET STREET’S ranting tabloid columnists have found their match in Donegal of all places.

Tirconaill Tribune editor John McAteer would leave the tabloid ranters in the shade with his latest attack on Donegal County Council.

Mr McAteer was not a bit pleased to find the press bench in the council chamber overrun at a recent meeting, forcing him to sit on the floor. And instead of filing a routine report on the meeting, Mr McAteer decided to take the officials to task in a damning piece.

“How in the name of sweet f**k can we be expected to write our notes and observe the antics of the council while sitting on the floor with neither breathing space nor elbow room?” he asked

Despite renovations, the Donegal council chamber only fits four reporters, which is a major problem when all 10 turn up.

“The reality is that the chamber in Lifford is not a debating facility - the place is a complete dog’s dick: a disaster beyond comprehension.”

Strong words indeed but there were more: “The acoustics are terrible (non-existent); the ventilation is worse than a night at the local lapdancing club and the lighting is pure shite.”

Then the editor adopted a rather high-minded tone, pointing out that the press was a vital part of democracy and concluded resignedly: “We might as well have been behind the whin bush covering the battle of the Alamo. But what is the point in complaining?

“The next five years could be downright fun for everyone except the electorate ... and the press.”

Mr McAteer’s main problem was that the press were never consulted when Donegal County Council carried out two major renovation jobs in the chamber over the past 14 years.

The editor stuck to his guns yesterday.

“We pride ourselves in calling a spade a spade in the Tirconaill Tribune and taking on Donegal County Council, and they never come back to us.”

The word from the council was “Mum” at the time of going to press.