South Mayo councillors hit out over ‘fake news’ around immigration

ELECTED representatives have hit out at 'fake news' coming out of the recent immigration/refugee debate in south Mayo.

Some public representatives, in other areas, have been 'witch-hunted' and have left politics, which is a blow to democracy, Councillor Patsy O'Brien told a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting.

In their own area, members have suffered as a result of the fake news that has been spread, he commented.

On social media outlets there have been organisations calling for pressure to be kept on councillors.

Each of the councillors, he continued, were elected by the people on numerous occasions and people have confidence in them. There were speeches saying 'get them out', vote for anyone but the sitting councillors.

That was unfair and also very unreal, without an alternative.

He complimented everyone who goes forward for election and it is up to the people to decide who they want to represent them.

“I deplore the fake news that is put out and the way they are treating democracy,” commented Councillor O'Brien.

He further commented on the amount of councillors in other areas who have retired recently. Some have been 'witch-hunted'. It was a terrible thing that democracy has come to that. He knew of one councillor who has come under huge pressure. That wasn't democracy.

“Every councillor is doing their best,” he added. The one goal is to treat the community in the best way and tell them what is going on.

“Let them put on all the pressure they want. That doesn't change me.”

Councillor Richard Finn said they had all come across plenty fake news and also the genuine fears of people.

The fake news led to people telling of places being closed and taken over by government and giving figures for migrants coming in that were driven up.

The local councillors had supported the local people and were successful in a lot of the issues.

No person, he continued, would intimidate him in his political appointment by the people.

He would be helping in every aspect where people come to him and he would not be led by people out for their own personal gain.

They were there to serve the people and that is what they do.

Councillor Finn added that he was proud of Mayo County Council, the only local authority in Ireland to stand up and be counted. They were not to blame for anything that is taking place around the country. All they were looking for is fair play, equality and even distribution.

Some people regarded this as racist but he wasn't a racist.

"We welcome people from Ukraine to this country and have some of the loveliest people from other countries too, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, etcetera, but there were some coming in without passports and that was where the fear in people was coming from," he said.

He would work and try and help the fears of people.