Council row erupts over the Dingle name change controversy

A BLAZING row flared up yesterday between rival Kerry political dynasties over the An Daingean name change controversy.

Fianna Fáil councillor Paul O’Donoghue condemned a proposal by Independent councillor Michael Healy-Rae as an “appallingly cynical attempt” to garner votes and further divide a community — three days before an election.

Mr Healy-Rae proposed that the council direct Gaeltacht Minister Eamon Ó Cuív to comply with the wishes of the people of An Daingean and change the official name of An Daingean to Dingle/Daingean Ui Chuis.

“I believe Mr Ó Cuív needs assistance to sort this matter out for once and for all. The people of Dingle have spoken and want to get the name of their town back,” he said.

He told a Kerry County Council meeting there was a huge element of confusion, especially in regard to road signage leading to the area, and people wanted the bi-lingual name in accordance with the plebiscite vote.

Mr O’Donoghue, a brother of Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue, said the proposal could not have been moved at a more inappropriate time. He described it as political opportunism of the worst kind.

He also said the proposal was flawed as the council had no power to “direct” a minister to do anything.

Mr Healy-Rae then rose to his feet and claimed Mr Ó Cuív had, during a radio interview, requested the council to assist him by passing a resolution directing that he comply with the people’s wishes.

Mr Healy-Rae also said hundreds of people in Dingle had asked him to put down his proposal.

He described Mr O’Donoghue’s remarks as “horrible rotten lies” adding that his proposal was due to be taken a month ago, but had been adjourned.

Sinn Féin councillor Toireasa Ferris was strongly against the proposal which, she claimed, was undemocratic as people in the Gaeltacht area, west of Dingle, had no voice in the plebiscite.

The motion failed to find a seconder.

For that reason, an amendment by FF councillor Breandan MacGearailt — which he said was a compromise being put forward by the Gaeltacht grouping, Todhchai na Gaeltachta — could not be taken.

The compromise to the long-running name change row was that only the Irish version of An Daingean should be used on signage within the Gaeltacht, while a supplementary sign in English should be used on signage outside Gaeltacht boundaries.