*Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF). Photograph: Joe Buckley
A FORMER MAYOR of Clare has said the founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group is ‘turning her back on the people that she represents’ by running for Sinn Féin as a local election candidate.
Dr Martina Cleary (SF) has been announced as Sinn Féin’s candidate in the Killaloe Municipal District for the local elections. She founded the Clare Pyrite Action Group in 2020.
Cleary’s move under the Sinn Féin banner comes on the same week that a new political party which is campaigning for 100% redress for homes affected by defective blocks confirmed four candidates who will run in the local elections in Donegal. The 100% Redress party said its major focus is on “securing a genuine 100% redress scheme for all those affected by defective concrete products” but it will also be campaigning on housing, health and tourism.
After Martina announced her candidacy on social media, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) commented, “I am very sorry to see you turning your back on the people that helped you and all the people that you represent” to which Cleary replied, “I’m doing no such thing, I have no idea what you mean”.
When questioned by The Clare Echo on his comments Cllr O’Gorman explained, “I’d be of the belief that if she wanted to help the people that have pyrite in their homes then the best way wouldn’t be running for Sinn Féin. From talking and listening to Sinn Féin people that have left the party, they have said they can’t express their opinions and feelings, I’d be of the opinion that if she wants to do a job for the people that she is representing that she might not be able to do that as a Sinn Féin councillor”.
He said, “If the job that she wants to do is look after the pyrite plight I think either as an Independent candidate or a pyrite specialist candidate would be a better option”. He stressed that none of his views were personal against Martina.
On whether he would have criticised the move if she ran for Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, Cllr O’Gorman stated, “really Fianna Fáil is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is Fine Gael, we do our own thing”.
Cratloe based O’Gorman voiced his disappointment with Dr Cleary’s interview on Clare FM discussing the pyrite redress scheme which saw her announce her intention to contest the local elections and criticise sitting councillors. “I thought it was very disingenuous to do an interview on Clare FM and not give any praise to any councillor, we put in motions and organised workshop meetings, it was as if she was saying we have not represented the people. I’d be on the phone to tell people when these workshop meetings were on and I even brought one man to Ennis to get help filling out a form with his application. Listening to her interview it was as if councillors didn’t do a tap”.
“From my own point of view it was very disingenuous for people listening on Clare FM three months out for a local election that she would paint all councillors with the one brush that we didn’t do a tap, in fairness to the person interviewing her, he (Darragh Dolan) gave names of the people submitted that have submitted motions such as myself and Gerry Flynn,” O’Gorman concluded.
Martina was not available for comment when contacted by The Clare Echo.
