Corruption claims prompted abuse of staff
by Niall Shanahan

An independent report, commissioned following serious claims over the purchase of a number of homes in Buncran, has found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of anyone within Donegal county council.

 

The council's chief executive confirmed that corruption allegations made against council staff, following serious claims made by Councillor Frank McBrearty, had taken a huge toll. 

 

And it’s been reported that the families of some of council staff had been subjected to questions, and in some cases abuse, due to the false allegations, some of which was also directed at the children of council staff.

 

In February this year, Fórsa’s Donegal Health and Local Government Branch issued an instruction to members at the council not to engage with Councillor McBrearty by telephone or to have any face-to-face meetings with him.

 

Union official Michelle Connaughton said the instruction had been issued to ensure none of Fórsa’s 800 members in the council were subject to individual attacks or abuse in person, via email or on social media.

 

“It has been a fraught time at the council for our members. There have been related incidents at council meetings that have prompted members to contact the union expressing fears for their personal safety.

 

“The union has continued to prevail on council management to ensure people are safe at work and not subject to harassment or individual attacks of any kind. That work is ongoing, and we’ll be meeting management next Wednesday (27th July) to continue that discussion. Our hope now is that this report draws a line under the whole affair,” she said.

 

The Donegal News reported late last week that the investigation, carried out by BDO Ireland, was commissioned following serious claims made by Councillor McBrearty, who had claimed the five houses were bought “in the full knowledge” they were affected by mica.

 

The council had leased, repaired and maintained the houses for a decade. BDO found no evidence that anyone involved in the purchase of the houses had acted improperly or had attempted to cover up details of the transaction, following what was described as a “thorough and forensic” investigative process.

 

Chief executive John McLaughlin said his officials had been “fully exonerated” by the findings, and said he hoped the report would bring to a close a very difficult time for a lot of people.

 

“Many of our staff involved in this purchase process have been subjected to repeated and ongoing attacks in meetings and abuse, threats and allegations by email and on social media.

 

“This has occurred over a sustained period and done without any regard for the reputation of the individuals affected, the right to their good names and without due process of any kind,” he said.

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