Convicted councillor should not retain seat

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Written by Staff Reporter

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Dear Editor,

I write in response to your front page article in the Galway Independent of Wednesday, 12 September. I feel compelled to voice my protest at the mere suggestion of Michael 'Stroke' Fahy being allowed to keep his seat on Galway City Council.

Mr Fahy is a 'guest of the state' after being found guilty of 'misappropriating County Council funds and attempted theft'. Would it not seem a 'little bit Irish' that the very organisation he defrauded is inviting him to remain and effectively giving him the 'thumps up' on his actions? It would seem that the culture of the crooked politician and civil servant, which we supposedly abhor, is alive and well in 21st Century Ireland. Is it not enough that we have a council that seems incapable of managing the city and its resources in a convincing manner, that we now have to have convicted criminals on board also?

I am disgusted at Mr Fahy's attempts to work the machinery of local government for his own benefit. However, he was caught, convicted and is currently paying his dues to society and should be allowed to rebuild his life upon release. He should not, however, be allowed to return to local government. It is my opinion that Mr Fahy, by his selfish actions, has shown complete disregard and disrespect to the council and to the citizens of Galway that elected him.

Shame on the other members of Galway County Council for effectively advocating his actions and facilitating his return to local government. No vote should be passed which suggests Mr Fahy is ill, or has missed meetings 'in good faith for another reason'. He is missing meetings because he is in jail for swindling the council!

I suggest a list of those councillors supporting Mr Fahy be published so that the citizens of Galway know which politicians have the best interests of the electorate in mind.

Sincerely,

Thomas Hurley,
Renmore,
Galway

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