'Let's keep it civil': Councillors clash at March meeting of Tullamore Municipal District

A war of words erupted between councillors during the March meeting of the Tullamore Municipal District in the Town Hall.

The heated dispute which lasted over 15 minutes unfolded at the opening of the latest meeting when Councillor Frank Moran raised a query questioning conduct at Tullamore Municipal District meetings.

His inquiry referenced Councillor Aoife Masterson posting information on social media from the February meeting regarding topics that several councillors allege she was not present for.

They claim the only way the Sinn Féin Councillor could have accessed the information was by recording the meeting which is strictly forbidden.

Councillor Moran referred to a topic concerning road issues on the main street of Clara that was discussed at the previous meeting.

The Clara councillor said he initiated the report on the subject with senior executives. He expressed: "It was reported on social media afterward by a colleague of mine who had made representations on the same issue. However, my colleague was not in the room when that particular item was discussed at the last meeting."

He added: "The integrity of the members is at stake. If I'm making representations, I don't want other people turning around and saying that they are the ones making the representations on behalf of the people I represent."

This led the Fianna Fail politician to ask the Tullamore MD Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Harvey if the meeting was recorded which breaches the code of conduct stating that all councillors must consent to the recording of any meeting.

Cllr Harvey responded that he didn't know if the meeting was recorded but reminded the members of the standing order they agreed to abide by regarding conduct.

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He then passed it to the Director of Services, Paul McLoughlin who confirmed: "In June 2025, we drafted a standing order stating that no cameras, recordings or communication equipment can be used in the meetings without prior approval from all members."

He continued: "From an executive point of view, I am certainly not aware of any recordings nor were any recordings requested or consented to during that meeting."

Councillor Sean O'Brien raised the same query, declaring: "I'm also wondering how the information would have been ascertained when the person who published it wasn't actually present at the meeting."

A tense back and forth ensued where Cllr Masterson rebutted the allegations, saying: "The minutes show that everyone was present," to which Cllr Moran replied: "Not at that particular item on the agenda."

Councillor Masterson insisted the minutes would prove she was present during the topic in question but Councillor Moran interjected: "Well then the minutes are wrong and I request that they be amended."

Fine Gael Councillor Neil Feighery offered his recollection of the previous meeting. He acknowledged: "The minutes only give a very broad overview of what was actually discussed during the meeting. However, I do know that myself, the Cathaoirleach, Councillor O'Brien, and Councillor Frank Moran were all present for the full public meeting but Councillor Masterson wasn't."

The Cathaoirleach echoed his sentiments by saying: "Can I just say Cllr Masterson, As chair of this committee and the MD, you missed most of that main meeting and I'm saying that loud and clear: you didn't just step out for a few minutes, you stepped out for a long time."

Councillor Masterson hit back at the questioning of her conduct, stating: "First of all Cllr Moran, you're jumping around hoops. There's a very sound legal reason for this, because what you are accusing me of is criminal."

This led to Councillor Moran answering: "I never accused anybody of anything to which Cllr Masterson replied: "exactly, you're being very cautious with your words."

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As voices began to be raised, the pair were reminded that they should address each other through the chair as the Cathoirleach advised: "Members, let's keep it civil, nobody has accused anyone, Councillor Moran has asked the question so it's there to be answered."

Cllr Masterson was adamant that she was not in breach of any code of conduct bestowed upon the councillors. She maintained: "The question that Cllr Moran has raised pertains to a criminal matter. If the minutes reflect that I was present, I don't see any need to discuss anything beyond that."

She continued: "I do not have to answer to Cllr Moran or anyone else, I answer to my constituents. My constituents are very happy with my work, my representation and my thorough documenting of the issues publicly discussed at public meetings. I believe in honesty and transparency."

Councillor Masterson was also critical of the approach the Fianna Fail councillor had taken on the subject. "I do not and will not answer to Cllr Moran's increasingly irate line of questioning and increasingly legally questionable line of interrogation."

She continued: "I would advise Cllr Moran to listen to those wiser than him who have advised him of the legally precarious situation he is now entering into publicly."

Councillor Moran responded: "I'm not here to insinuate anything. As I have said I have no proof whatsoever that the meeting was recorded. I'm just asking the simple question if anybody in the room knows or was aware that the meeting was recorded.”

Cllr Feighery added: " There was no way that the information could have been gotten without the person sitting in the room so I don't know how that happened. For 95% of that meeting and I put it on the record, Cllr Masterson wasn't in the room."

Cllr Masterson reiterated: "I categorically state that to the best of my knowledge, there was no recording. However, Cllr Feighery, Moran and O'Brien would be well reminded that this is a public meeting. As public representatives, it is our obligation to share the information that comes from the meeting."

The Sinn Féin politician took the opportunity to highlight the treatment she has received since being elected to the Tullamore Municipal District.

She reflected: "Although I didn't want to, I have spoken about this publicly online after I blocked two councillors, Councillor Moran and Councillor Oliver Bryant following persistent late-night public and private messages to not only myself but my employer and my colleagues, that far breaches any moral, ethical or basic human decency."

She continued: "I've been receiving those messages for over eighteen months. It is humiliating, degrading and the idea that people who have subjected me to that are now bringing up morality and questioning my integrity is quite frankly disgusting. I will not be subjected to it, I will not be publicly shamed, and I will not have this kangaroo court that Councillor Moran and Bryant insist on."

Cathaoirleach Declan Harvey called for an end to the debate so that the public meeting could begin as the elected members discussed the various topics on the agenda for March.