Fury as council's US trip branded 'a waste of money'

OBLIVIOUS, seemingly, to the torrent of criticism that has preceded the hugely controversial and costly trip, an eight-member Waterford County Council delegation flew from Shannon yesterday morning en route to New York for the St Patrick's Day celebrations in the Big Apple.

With the council's existing debt standing at €7.3 million, and householders countywide faced with a deadline date of today for the payment of a new €150 annual flat charge for refuse collection, the timing of this all-expenses paid trip for seven councillors and one official could hardly be more inopportune.

Described by the lone Sinn Féin member of council as "a junket and a waste of money", Councillor Brendan Mansfield said that until Monday evening they hadn't even seen an itinerary for the five-day trip, nor has there been a breakdown of what it will cost the already cash-strapped local authority.