Under fire Derry councillor publicly apologises for ‘huge, huge mistake

Former SDLP councillor Brian Tierney has publicly apologised for providing a character reference for convicted rapist Kielan Mooney.

Speaking online at the January meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Ballyarnett councillor, who has ‘stepped away’ from the SDLP as a result of the controversy, said he wanted to take the opportunity to address the media reports about his actions over the last number of days.

He said: “I first of all want to apologise and try to show my deep remorse for the mistakes that I have made.

“I want to apologise to this council and to every elected member in it for my actions. I should have checked the background of the story; there is no doubt about that.

“I believed that I was acting in good faith. I believed I was being told the truth. And I believed that there was no sign of any sexual violence when I provided that character reference.

“I deeply, deeply regret and apologise mainly to the survivor in this case and I think it is important that the Council knows that I have written to the survivor in this case to express my apology and my support for her.

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Family of Irish soldier Kielan Mooney, who was convicted of rape, say SDLP councillor Brian Tierney was 'misled' into providing character reference

“But also to outline the reasons  why I provided that reference because I have no doubt my actions, by providing that reference, caused extra, undue hurt to her and her family.

“I think it is important to acknowledge the courage and the bravery of the survivor in this case for coming out and seeking Justice.

“I openly hold my hands up and acknowledge I made a huge, huge mistake. The anger that people have expressed that they have heard over this last number of days is not lost on me one single bit.”

In an emotional address to councillors,  he added it had been the hardest time of his life.

“I have tried over recent days to put this in some way into perspective,” Cllr Tierney said.

“But the fact remains, I made a mistake. I was lied to. I was misled. I did not believe there was any form of sexual violence involved in this case. Had I had any inkling at all that there was, I would not have provided that reference.

“I have tried over 11 years to represent the people of my community to the best of my ability. And, at the moment, there is a suggestion I should resign.

“I think, where I am at the moment is I want to correct this mistake.

“I want to show my remorse. I want to, in any way that I can support the victim in this an all the victims of sexual violence or any type of violence against women and girls.”

Cllr Tierney’s apology came in response to a motion brought forward by Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr reaffirming Derry City and Strabane District Council’s “commitment to ending violence against women and girls, seconded by Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy.

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin proposed an amendment to the motion which included a call for Cllr Tierney’s resignation from Council; the amendment fell as it did not receive a seconder.

Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said that despite having different politics and clashing in the chamber, he believed that Cllr Tierney made an honest mistake.

Ulster Unionist Party councillor Darren Guy offered support and hit out at Cllr Harkin's call for Cllr Tierney to resign.  

Cllr Tierney received support from former party colleague Cllr Rory Farrell who described him as being “distraught and devastated”.

He said: “He will be the first to admit he has made a monumental mistake. He has apologised publicly for the pain, the hurt and the distress that has been caused.”

Cllr Farrell said Cllr Tierney made a “monumental mistake” in not doing due diligence.

“The family involved have come out publicly yesterday and said that he was lied to, duped, misled, not in full possession of the facts.

“He did not know there were impending criminal charges and he was not aware of the seriousness of the offences

“The Brian that all of you know that had he known that animal was charged with various forms of rape, he would never have provided a reference.”

Cllr Shauna Cussack (Independent) who said she had been shocked at the character reference revelations.

“I was shocked because I have known Brian for 15 years and I knew there was something not right with this.

“He didn’t do his due diligence, he didn’t investigate properly. He was possibly lied to. Everything has been put on the table here but, no he should not lose his career, his livelihood, his reputation and his future income because of a mistake, a mistake any of us could have made.”

However, Sinn Fein councillor Grace Uí Niallais said: “If we were in a company, and we made a grievous error like that, we would be pulled in front of HR and dismissed.”