Tensions in Waterford as former councillor appointed to paid role on policing forum

Donal Murphy said the pilot policing project will be “dead in the water” unless relationships are repaired within the body

Tensions spilled over at a meeting last week when members questioned Waterford City and County Council’s appointment of Fianna Fáil councillor Eddie Mulligan as the new co-ordinator for the partnership — which is a paid full-time job — despite the fact Mr Mulligan had regularly criticised the dynamics of the group while he was sitting as a member.

A policing body in Waterford is at risk of losing community representatives to resignations, due to tensions surrounding the appointment of a former Fianna Fáil councillor as its new full-time paid co-ordinator, according to the vice-chair of the group.

Donal Murphy said the pilot policing project, known as the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) — one of three in the country — will be “dead in the water” unless relationships are repaired within the body.