Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin councillor boycotts council AGM

Published: 30 June, 2006

The AGM of Castlebar Town Council went ahead last night without the participation of the Sinn Féin member on the authority, Councillor Noel Campbell.

Councillor Campbell cited the hypocrisy of Fine Gael and Labour's deal with Fianna Fáil as his reason for not attending. The deal signed up to in 2004, sees the three parties hold the positions of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all committee places for the lifetime of the council.

Councillor Campbell said: "Right throughout the year, I and all the councillors cooperate on all matters for the good of Castlebar. It is hypocrisy in the extreme that once a year when the spotlight is on Castlebar Town Council these parties feel they must exclude certain councillors from council positions. Sinn Féin will not tolerate this exclusion in Castlebar."

Councillor Campbell and members of Castlebar Sinn Féin spent the evening picking up litter at Lough Lannagh in the town. The Sinn Féin councillor said: "I was elected to the council to serve the people of the town not to take part in an annual charade. My time was better spent improving the appearance of the lake than taking part in something that was decided behind closed doors two years ago."

Councillor Campbell added that his decision not to attend was not a personal attack on the newly elected Mayor or his Deputy. Councillor Campbell wished both well during their term and congratulated Councillor Blackie Gavin for the energy he put in to his year as Mayor of Castlebar.

Since his election in 2004, Councillor Campbell who is the first Sinn Féin representative elected to the council has tackled council members from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour for forming what he calls a "cosy arrangement" which sees the three parties hold all positions on the council. At the council's last two AGMs, Councillor Campbell's proposal to rotate the positions was voted down.