VIDEO: Deputy mayor rejects call to quit

The deputy lord mayor of Cork has dismissed calls from Irish Water protesters for his resignation, and that of the lord mayor.

Cllr Ken O’Flynn (FF) said he respects the office too much to get involved in a row arising out of his refusal earlier this week to accept a boycott Irish Water petition, signed by 15,000 people, and gathered by The People’s Convention.

The lord mayor, Mary Shields, who was on city business in the US and due to return on Sunday, left instructions for her office not to accept it.

“The office of lord mayor is above party politics. I take the office and my role supporting it very seriously,” Mr O’Flynn said.

“It’s a role people have died for, and one which is loved by the people of this city... The office is too dear for it to be sullied by this situation and I wasn’t going to destroy its history for a soundbite.”

The People’s Convention held a public meeting on Thursday, accusing Ms Shields and Mr O’Flynn of disgracing the offices they hold and calling for their resignations.

Convention founding member Diarmaid Ó Cadhla said: “The people’s petition should have been received and respect shown to the 15,000 who signed it — instead the people are insulted.”

He said they will continue to collect signatures.

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