Dear Editor,
I have been attending the city council meetings for some time now and, while I am not affiliated to any political party, I enjoy the politic process. I have been reading all the press articles concerning Cllr Pádraig Conneelly's outbursts in the chamber and as regard to the meetings I can honestly say that they are accurate in their reporting.

I have never witnessed such ignorance and arrogance in all my life and I don't know why the official, not to mention his fellow elected members, would want to attend those meetings. Cllr Conneelly is constantly hurling insults in a high-pitched tone at the officials and it is also the case when they are trying to respond to his questions. He also keeps interrupting when other councillors are trying to speak.

His continuous shouting in the chamber makes it impossible for the council to conduct its business in a rational manner and I genuinely feel sorry for the councillors that attend the meetings to conduct business on behalf of the citizens of Galway. It must be very frustrating for them sitting there. I also feel the present mayor and the former ones in the council chamber have been trying their best to control this appalling situation that has now got completely out of hand.

From my experience of sitting on boards and committees any member or director who aped Cllr Connelly's behaviour would justify the Garda? being called to have them ejected.

No one in this day and age should be treated the way the people at the top table in city hall are being by the said councillor. Our forebears fought very hard for our rights, which we in the western world are now enjoying today.

Oh to have the city council meetings televised to let the public see for themselves what is going on at the meetings in city hall. It would be an eye opener. It may also put a stop to all filibustering and political scoring that is currently taking place there.

On the other hand if the media were not present, perhaps the councillor would go silent and my wouldn't that be welcome. Now wouldn't that be a test.

Yours sincerely,
Peadar Mac Donnacha,
Lakeview,
Upper Newcastle,
Galway

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