Harsh words mark Cork’s first council meeting

THE fallout from the local elections prompted some barbed comments at the annual general meeting of Cork County Council.

Sixteen new councillors joined the 48-seater forum yesterday and listened as the leaders of the three main parties slugged it out.

Councillor Alan Coleman, leader of the FF faction, derided FG’s performance, reminding them that they dropped to 22 seats rather than increasing to the expected 25.

However, his FG counterpart, Cllr Michael Hegarty, pointed out that FF had seen its number drop to an all-time low of 12.

“If you’d have looked after one you’d have 13,” said Mr Hegarty, in a reference to the defection to FG by Cllr Deirdre Forde, over which FF is still licking its wounds.

Mr Coleman also attacked Labour’s seven councillors.

“Labour are consistent. They constantly shirk responsibility,” he said in response to the party abstaining from voting on the positions of mayor and deputy mayor.

“That’s nothing but waffle,” said Cllr Paula Desmond, Labour leader on the council.

Mr Coleman criticised some of the Independents for supporting FG in the mayoral vote, pointing out that they were getting little representation on special committees for the favour.

Fianna Fáil had approached the Independents for support, but was rebuffed.

In the event FG Councillor Derry Canty was elected as mayor of Co Cork.

He defeated Alan Coleman by 26 votes to 11. Nine councillors abstained.