Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Kevin Sheahan FF councillor in Limerick Limerick Co Co

Fianna Fáil's response to Cllr Sheahan's 'Irish first' comment is 'unacceptable'

Kevin Sheahan sparked anger in Limerick’s council chamber when he demanded an ‘Irish first’ housing policy.

FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin’s response to the remarks made by Limerick councillor Kevin Sheahan is “disappointing”, says the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Sheahan sparked anger in Limerick’s council chamber when he demanded an ‘Irish first’ housing policy.

Deputy Martin responded to complaints from members of the public by saying the remarks were made in a “personal capacity” by Sheahan and “are not the policy of the Fianna Fáil party”.

Brian Killoran, information and referral co-ordinator with the Immigrant Council of Ireland said it was “bizzare” that Martin used this excuse after Sheahan made the “factually incorrect claims in the Council Chamber and again on radio and national television”.

Here is the stock email sent out by Deputy Martin:

Dear XXXXXX,

Thank you for your recent email in relation to comments made by Councillor Kevin Sheahan.

I can assure you that his comments were made in a personal capacity and are not the policy of the Fianna Fáil party.

Fianna Fáil is a Republican party and prides itself on treating everyone equally. It is unfortunate that these comments were made at all.

It is important that everyone familiarises themselves with the rules that apply to all citizens that apply for social housing .These are clearly made out in legislation and are available on every Local Authority web site.

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations (2011) are clear and unambiguous. There are rules for Irish citizens and those who are entitled or who have become naturalised Irish citizens. Once these citizens apply, there are income and other guidelines that are clearly stated and all applicants are rightly treated equally.

Finally, Fianna Fáil was in government and held the European presidency when Ireland agreed to accession .It is our firm belief that Ireland has benefitted greatly from immigration and integration is key to this and comments like this are not at all helpful.

I hope this email addresses your concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Micheál Martin TD
Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil

Read: Anti-racism campaign launched by Dublin transport providers

Poll: Have you ever reported a racist incident?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
203 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Walsh
    Favourite Jason Walsh
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 2:04 PM

    It will only solve the cities traffic problems if the streets in the city aren’t changed in tandem with the road being built. One way streets, pedestrian only streets, wider footpaths, cycle paths, removal of parking. Galway City Council need to look at that starting now and be ready to go with changes.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Finnster
    Favourite Finnster
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 9:32 PM

    @Jason Walsh: why don’t you worry about Kildare Jason and leave Galway to be sorted by the Galwegians

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Uinseann Ó Gairbhith
    Favourite Uinseann Ó Gairbhith
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 3:15 PM

    More roads = more cars

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Sexton
    Favourite Dermot Sexton
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 4:27 PM

    @Uinseann Ó Gairbhith: It does ya. I remember when I bought my first car in 1996, it was purely to tear up and down the new stretch of dual carraigeway on the Ennis rd at the time. I wouldn’t have bothered otherwise.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ChronicAnxiety
    Favourite ChronicAnxiety
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 3:11 PM

    Ring roads make traffic worse.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
    Favourite Thomas O' Donnell
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 3:19 PM

    @ChronicAnxiety: Not really. Ring roads tend to get built in areas of growth. So traffic would be getting busier in these places anyway. Also, they sometimes take traffic away from other areas to make them more liveable/workable.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Walshe
    Favourite Stephen Walshe
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 9:19 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: eh nooooo the ring road around limerick was the making of the city

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Nolan
    Favourite Dave Nolan
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 10:21 PM

    Friends of the Irish Environment seem to be prolific serial objectors. Be it cable cars, drainage projects, turf cutting, tree planting/tree felling and now ring roads.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 2:18 PM

    Needs more money than Irish people are willing to pay.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baile na Rí
    Favourite Baile na Rí
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 7:40 PM

    Back to NIMBYism

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derrick Hambleton
    Favourite Derrick Hambleton
    Report
    Feb 8th 2022, 4:30 PM

    Bit like plans for a Deep Water Port for Galway from 1851, which has never been built since. Though plans still being progressed, if you call it that, today? Also, not a solution but a white elephant and still nobody is listening!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Hester
    Favourite Ian Hester
    Report
    Feb 9th 2022, 1:57 PM

    Cost of living, rents energy :fuel food etc equals less cars in the future

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds