Mayor of Kerry Ferris faces confidence vote

The Sinn Féin Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Toireasa Ferris, tonight faces a motion of no confidence over her refusal to condemn the killing of Det Garda Jerry McCabe.

The Kerry Co Council chairperson, a daughter of Dáil TD Martin Ferris, said on The Late Late Show that she did not have the authority to denounce the 1996 IRA crime in Adare, Co Limerick.

The motion has been tabled by Fine Gael, and will be voted on during tonight’s monthly meeting in Tralee.

When asked if she condemned the McCabe killing, Cllr Ferris told Late Late Show host Pat Kenny on February 10: “I don’t think I have the authority to do that. With that said, I do wish it hadn’t occurred.”

Co Kerry-born Det Garda McCabe was shot dead, and his partner Det Ben O’Sullivan was seriously wounded, by an IRA gang during a botched post officer robbery.

The motion of no confidence has been tabled by Fine Gael councillor Johnny O’Connor from Killorglin.

Four IRA members were later convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 11 to 14 years.

The Government has resisted Sinn Féin calls for their release under the Good Friday Agreement.