Heated exchange during Cork City Council meeting

A number of arguments broke out in Cork City Council on Monday night, after the conduct of one councillor was described as “unbelievable”, “reprehensible”, and “a dereliction of duty”.

Cllr Albert Deasy, an independent representing the South-West Ward, spoke in opposition to a number of housing developments which were presented to the council under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2015. The regulations allow for the council to directly undertake developments once they have been voted on by a meeting of the full council.

Cllr Deasy said the proposed developments would force people into substandard accommodation, and that the developments were part of a broader UN plan.

“This is ideology disguised as policy, to align with UN sustainability goals such as 15 minute cities and the like. The bike is a cudgel to accept this kind of stuff,” he said.

He also said the addition of 22 units earmarked as emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence at a development in Turner’s Cross would turn the apartments into “black boxes” and would make life there impossible for women and children.

Cllr Deasy said he had not read the files for the developments, but was basing his comments on the description of the projects provided in the meeting agenda.

A number of councillors in the chamber took issue with Cllr Deasy’s comments.

Cllr Niamh O’Connor (SD) said it was “unbelievable that someone could oppose domestic violence accommodation on behalf of women and children”. “It is one of the hardest things that anyone in Cork can go through,” she said.

Cllr Dan Boyle (Green) said it was the duty of councillors to “read, examine, assess, and plan - that is good governance”.

“If you aren’t going to do that, then what are you doing here at all,” he said.

Cllr Mary Rose Desmond (FF) said Cllr Deasy’s comments showed “an appalling ignorance”.

“They are reprehensible. Cllr Deasy doesn’t believe in democracy, he believes it should be his way or no way. It is bordering on the abusive the way he has been speaking in the chamber,” she said.

Cllr Deasy said reactions to his comments by fellow councillors were “smears”.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.