‘Black day for democracy’
Some councillors in Cavan reacted angrily following a raid by gardaí investigating an arson attack at a disused Galway hotel on the homes of elected representatives.
A dawn search was conducted at the home of Fianna Fáil councillor Noel Thomas last Saturday morning, January 6, in connection with the investigation. Cllr Thomas and his family, including his wife and four young children, were in the house at the time.
Gardaí also searched the home of someone known to another Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus Walsh. In both searches phones and other electronic devices were seized.
Both men faced criticism from their party following comments they made in the wake of a fire at Ross Hill House in Rosscahill, near Oughterard, Co Galway, in December. The property had been earmarked to house asylum seekers.
Independent Shane P. O’Reilly, who was previously a member of Fianna Fáil and served on its national executive only to quit in 2020 citing “irreconcilable differences” with the national party leadership and direction, led the volley of criticism.
Speaking at the council’s January meeting, he claimed Mr Thomas’ family had been “effectively held prisoner in their own home” during the garda raid, and suggested the searches were carried out because, as public representative, the two men had “spoken up” on behalf of the communities they represent.
It was, said Cllr O’Reilly, to be seen as a “warning” for others who might do likewise, that they too “can be raided by An Garda Síochána”.
He said he was “horrified” by what had happened, and stated some of the gardaí would have been “embarrassed” in carrying out the order since they may have “voted for the same two men down through the years”.
“Is this what we can expect in years to come?” asked Cllr O’Reilly, who described it as a “black day for democracy”.
Cllrs were being told to “comply” and “not question the narrative”, and Cllr O’Reilly requested that the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Philip Brady, write to Local Authority Members Association (LAMA), to the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), and the minister requesting this doesn’t happen again.
It was “unprecedented”, he said, that councillors who had been democratically elected by the people of their area would face such treatment. “I stand full square behind them.”
Heavy handed
Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly also voiced her support for Cllrs Thomas and Walsh. She said what had happened was “heavy handed”, and expressed her view that the searches were “politically motivated”.
Independent Brendan Fay said he didn’t want to see gardaí breaking through his door “for me speaking up on behalf of my constituents”.
Fine Gael’s TP O’Reilly said, at last Monday’s meeting, on January 8, that he simply “didn’t know enough of the facts” to make a fully informed comment. He added that an investigation is ongoing.
But he warned against “scaremongering” in what is already a tense situation. “Saying they were targetted and this, that and the other. That’s bananas.”
Cathaoirleach Philip Brady said he too would refrain from adding comment given the status of the live investigation taking place but agreed that a letter should be sent to LAMA and the AILG seeking a meeting asking to support councillors going forward.