HANLEY AND SHERLOCK DRAW SWORDS OVER ROAD COMMENTS
A war of words has this week broken out between outspoken Fermoy town councillor, Michael Hanley and Cork East Labour TD, Sean Sherlock. In a statement to The Avondhu, Cllr Hanley claims that Sherlock holds “a significant level of antipathy” towards him and wonders why.
The political spat developed as a result of Sean Sherlock’s interjection during a C103FM local radio interview with Cllr Hanley regarding the condition of the Fermoy – Mallow N72 road.
It is understood that the Cork East TD accused the town councillor of ‘blathering’ over the issue.
FRESH ACTION
In this week’s statement, Michael Hanley says, “I went on County Sound Radio (C103FM) to air my personal concerns in a genuine attempt to perhaps inspire fresh action to finally tackle this dreadful scenario.”
“I exonerated local councillors and local officials from the matter, excepting our Senator and TDs, whom I feel should be supported by the combined action of the communities of Fermoy, Mallow, Ballyhooly, Castletownroche and Killavullen.”
Cllr Hanley continued, “I alluded to the failure of our TDs and Senator to get serious action on the dreadful condition of the road, given the fact that they are present in close proximity to the powers that be in Dublin.”
“Lo and behold, one TD, Sean Sherlock, comes on radio and proceeds to have a go at the messenger, articulating his efforts in relation to the problem, whilst getting personal with his use of language. I mentioned no names whatsoever, but stressed the need for concerted action by our Dail members and Senator.”
ANTIPATHY EXISTS
“I would respectfully suggest to Sean Sherlock that I have every right, as a citizen of the State and user of the road in question, to raise the subject. It was very obvious from his remarks on radio that a significant level of antipathy exists towards me. I wonder why?” Deputy Sherlock, however, this week robustly defended his position.
He told The Avondhu, ”I joined the radio discussion to protect my integrity on this issue. As Cllr Hanley himself said, he referred to a failure on behalf of local elected representatives to tackle the issue of local roads.
ASSUAGING THE EGO
“As an elected public representative himself, he of all people should be aware that I have the right to defend my position as he has done on countless occasions through the pages of The Avondhu.”
“If he had bothered to pick up the phone I could have told him what I was doing on this issue. He didn’t check the facts on the issue before going on radio. I am not going to be dragged into any bickering to assuage the ego of any one person. That’s not how I work. This country is on its knees and my job is to assist in our economic recovery. That’s my main priority. If I stringently protect my record on an issue then I make no apology for that.”
Running to The Avondhu Sean Sherlock continued, “My work on local roads, particularly the N72 and N73, is there for all to see. I would be delighted to sit down with the man if he wants to discuss my record on the matter. Maybe he should have done this first before running to the radio and now The Avondhu. Naturally I would be delighted to work with him.”
“The Dail transcripts show my record on raising this pressing matter at the highest level. I have continually made a concerted effort to secure special funding for the necessary upgrade of these routes. I have met with the NRA on two occasions. I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had with the minister.
"As someone who travels these roads on constituency matters at least twice a week I am fully aware of the problem,” the Cork East deputy concluded.
Published:
Thursday 25th March 5:34pm
