NAAS, 4 July 2001: by Brian Byrne. Rather predictably, outgoing UDC chairman Pat O'Reilly ended his year in office last night as he had begun it, by making strong criticisms of members of the news media who cover the proceedings of the UDC. He also criticised colleagues for 'breaking of confidentiality' in repeating council matters to the media, which he described as a 'deplorable practice'.
Cllr O'Reilly said there had been 'biased and inaccurate' reports published by 'a minority of journalists who listen to too much gossip' which brought members of the chamber 'into disrepute'. And he condemned what he termed 'cheap, headline-catching practices' by some of his colleagues, which he believed should have them 'suspended' from the council.
Following the election of Willie Callaghan to the chair, Cllr O'Reilly's theme was echoed by a number of other councillors, including Timmy Conway, Seamie Moore, Willie Callaghan himself, and town clerk Declan Kirrane. Cllr Callaghan suggested that 'some journalists don't highlight the positive' aspects of Naas UDC, such as last week's signing of the £10.5 million contract for the Caragh Road housing project.
He also said that recent coverage of the opening of Monread Park by his predecessor had been 'unfair and hurtful', noting in particular the use of the term 'headstone' for the 'plaque' unveiled by Cllr O'Reilly. He called on journalists to give the positives as well as the negatives of the work of the council, and he also appealed for an end to 'leaks' to the press from 'in committee' meetings.
Timmy Conway also criticised such 'leaks', saying it was something which he had 'never done', and he described the reportage of the particular media under discussion as 'twisted and thwarted'. Quipping that at least his 'headstone' was bigger than Cllr O'Reilly's, Seamie Moore said the journalists concerned were 'behaving in a shameful way' and seemed to 'have a shortage of good words'. He said he was 'disgusted' at the level of such journalism and at the 'soundbites' coming out of in-committee meetings.
Pat McCarthy said he 'could not agree at all' with the sentiments expressed by his colleagues, and said 'a free and open press is crucial to democracy'. He said he and his colleagues 'could not tell journalists what to write'. "It's very easy for us to say, if we don't like the message, 'shoot the messenger'," he added. "But if the day comes when there are no journalists down there, it will be a bad one."
Mary Glennon echoed Cllr McCarthy's sentiments, and said that she took 'great exception' to what she called 'unadulterated attacks' on NUJ colleagues 'who had no right of reply' in the chamber. She said that she had never made any secret of her commitment to 'talk to the press' in the interests of openness and transparency.
Town clerk Declan Kirrane asked for 'fair reporting of both sides of a story', saying he felt that 'some organs' of the media had not given 'a balanced view'.
Before concluding the meeting, Cllr Callaghan led congratulations to Joan Walsh of the Leinster Leader, who has successfully completed her bar studies and is taking up a career in law in the autumn. He also wished well Sally McEllistrim of CKR, who is leaving the station.
©2001brianbyrne/knn