Fitzgerald ‘deeply sorry’ for comments

Munster Council secretary Pat Fitzgerald apologised to Waterford and Clare for sections of his annual report that had caused unintended hurt to both counties.

“Sometimes we make mistakes,’’ Fitzgerald told delegates, adding he was “deeply sorry’’ some of his comments had caused offence. “It was never my intention that that would happen’’, the secretary said.

Fitzgerald had stated that over the years the Munster Council had allocated grants to Waterford and Clare towards maintenance and upkeep of their county grounds. “I am somehow sceptical that this funding was at all times spent on such projects,” Fitzgerald reported, “and I believe that in future before allocating these grants we should work with the counties to decide how these monies are spent and identify what issues or work we want prioritised’’.