A heated confrontation erupted at the most recent Waterford City and County Council plenary after Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne posted on Facebook claiming the council would spend €50,000 attending a Boston parade.

Councillor Hearne’s post referenced recent Middle East events, noting the deaths of 160 children in Iran and highlighting the actions of the USA and Israel and if it is appropriate to visit the USA while this occurs.

Councillor Lola O’Sullivan challenged Hearne directly in the chamber, questioning whether he had received formal confirmation of the trip’s cost.

“Is this one of Councillor Hearne’s Walter Mitty moments, or has he been Trump-like and publishing fake news?” O’Sullivan asked.

“If he has the information and it’s true, I’ll accept it. But if it’s not true, he should apologise and remove the post.” she added.

Hypocrisy

Following O’Sullivan’s comments, Councillor Jason Murphy accused Sinn Féin members of hypocrisy regarding the council’s foreign travel lottery system.

Councillor Murphy emphasised that all trips are awarded through an open lottery, and Sinn Féin councillors have entered every foreign trip lottery, even if they rarely won.

“If they have a principled opposition to these trips, maybe they should show some principle and not enter the draw,” Murphy said. “The hypocrisy of the position is unbelievable" he added.

Tensions Escalate Across the Chamber

Murphy’s remarks prompted a vocal response from several Sinn Féin councillors, who argued that many had not put their names forward for any lottery.

A shouting match ensued across the chamber, with multiple councillors demanding that Murphy withdraw his comments.

Speaking to WLR after the meeting, Sinn Fein Councillor Joeanne Bailey said the party has "zero issue" with foreign travel once it is beneficial and that none of their councillors put their name forward for the trip so was "unsure" of what Councillor Murphy was referring to.

Exectuive Response

Ivan Grimes, Director of Services, concluded the debate by clarifying the council’s process. “As would be the case after any foreign travel, the Chief Executive intends to provide a detailed report to the Plenary Council on the outcome of the Boston trip.

That report will set out the costs as well,” Grimes said.

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