Limerick council meeting cut short after allegation of 'off mic' comment from mayor

John Moran said the meeting should be about 'good news for Limerick' amid news of an alleged complaint following a tense meeting

John Moran at the announcement of this year's mayoral funding. Picture: Manon Gilbart

There was further tension at Limerick City and County Council on Tuesday morning as the mayor refused to address a comment allegedly made "off mic" at a meeting the night before.

On Monday evening, a plenary meeting of the council was cut short after Príomh Chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery demanded an apology from the mayor, John Moran, regarding an alleged comment he made “off mic”.

On Tuesday, as Mr Moran broke down the allocated funding of this year’s mayoral fund, he was pressed on the issue several times, but said Tuesday’s meeting should be about “good news for Limerick”. 

He was also asked about an alleged formal complaint through the dignity of work protocols by Ms Slattery, which he said he was “not aware of” yet.

“It's sad that when we try and announce good news like this for Limerick that the story becomes something else,” Mr Moran said.

“I appreciate that everyone's been writing stuff and I really appreciate that they're capturing what happened, and people have different views perhaps of what happened last night.” 

It is understood the comment related to the attendance of councillors at the mayoral implementation committee.

Mr Moran announced that this year’s mayoral fund has allocated a total of over €14m, with his main priority remaining housing — which received approximately €6.5m.

Mr Moran made a capital allocation towards: Regeneration, Community, Sport and Rural (€1,187,854); Transportation, Mobility and Public Realm (€1,135,311); €1,1026,938); Finance, Governance and DACs (€440,000); Environment , Climate Action and Fire (€332,017); Planning, Heritage and Ryder Cup (€277,665).

Housing remains top priority

He allocated funds to buy land to facilitate housing (€3,924,014), to activate Vienna Model Housing (€1m), to forward plan for land in Patrickswell (€40k), for a SMART housing pilot (€1,455,966), and for further preliminary works (€69,235).

Mr Moran made another notable allocation of €350k to “Greening Georgian Limerick” — while further funding of €60,397 that was carried over from last year was also allocated to the project which would see a “green avenue” for the area.

He was asked by the Irish Examiner about previous criticism over allocating funds to an area of the city in which he owns properties.

“ I don't think we ever criticise any councillor for looking for funding for the area in which they live,” Mr Moran said. “I've actually committed to Georgian Limerick when others weren't prepared maybe to take that leap of faith a number of years ago and spent a lot of money in that.

“It just reflects the fact that I think it's one of the most amazing parts of Limerick City, and a great place to want to live and, and to be involved in. However, it has been a much unloved area.” 

In terms of significant funding, Mr Moran allocated €365k to Limerick firm Grant Thornton from December 2025 to May 2026. He said four consultants are working with these resources.

Other significant funding

Approximately €600k was allocated to the Northside Park masterplan, and over €270k was allocated to Heritage Building Works — including in Kilmallock.

He allocated another €280k to the “delivery, transformation and HR resources”, €260k was allocated for the 2026 Christmas offering, while €100k went to the preparation for EuroPride 2028.

Meanwhile, €400k was allocated for Limerick Twenty Thirty to work on the Royal Cinema, and the former tourist office at Arthur’s Quay was allocated €200k. Another €400k was allocated to the CCTV network scheme across Limerick.

Lighting for Limerick’s Three Bridges Walk was allocated €100k, the upgrades in King’s Island were allocated €100k, and public realm works on Nicholas Street was given €150k.

Ryder Cup funding

The mayor also allocated extra funding, following calls from the local community, for the village hall in Adare. Recently, minister Patrick O’Donovan announced €3m in funding for the revamp of the space — with an extra €100,000 from JP McManus to complete the works.

When asked about further Ryder Cup funding by media last Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin joked: “How much more funding do you want?” 

Asked if the funding towards the village hall in Adare could be allocated elsewhere, Mr Moran said: “ I made a commitment at the beginning to the community because they were anxious to push this building forward and they needed to actually raise funding.

“I essentially made a commitment that I would match, fund up to a certain amount of money that they would raise. If they write back to me and say they don't need it because they have enough money, absolutely delighted to put into something else.”

Asked about the alleged complaint made by Catherine Slattery after last night’s meeting, a spokesperson for Limerick City and Council Council said: “Limerick City and County Council does not comment on matters related to the Code of Conduct.” 

Ms Slattery has also been contacted for comment.