Journalist and presidential hopeful Gemma O’Doherty at Sligo County Council today
Earlier today.
At Sligo County Council.
Where the council heard from several presidential hopefuls seeking a nomination…
Marese McDonagh, in The Irish Times, reports:
Ms [Gemma] O’Doherty clashed with the Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fáil councillor Martin Baker and officials who had asked an unidentified person filming in the public gallery to stop or to leave the chamber after strong objections from Fine Gael councillor Hubert Keaney.
She said the public was entitled to see what is happening “in our chamber” . “What are you afraid of?” she asked.
After the would-be candidates finished their contributions and withdrew from the chamber, Councillor Keaney said he had asked that the rules be observed and he did not want the impression to go out that the council was against free speech.
Seán Gallagher asks councils to nominate other candidates (The Irish Times)
Yesterday: Mid Morning Presidential Matters
Pic: Gemma O’Doherty
UPDATE:
Fianna Fail #Aras18 candidate @seangallagher1 now has five endorsements. He only needs four yet he continues to give presentations at local authorities. This is a waste of public money and councillors’ time which could be spent more effectively on the housing and hospital crisis
— Gemma O’Doherty (@gemmaod1) September 12, 2018
1/2 It is the Constitutional prerogative of each local authority to nominate whatever candidate it wishes through majority vote once that candidate satisfies a small number of preconditions around age & nationality. It really is that simple.
— Patrick McKee (@CllrPaddyMcKee) September 12, 2018
2/2 The only person that wasted my time in Kilkenny was you as you were an hour late.
— Patrick McKee (@CllrPaddyMcKee) September 12, 2018
Speak to your colleagues in Monaghan about that. I drove directly down from that meeting. Why did you hold your meeting on the same day as five other councils? Also you have a democratic duty to give the people a choice
— Gemma O’Doherty (@gemmaod1) September 12, 2018
Because we already had a meeting on the 3rd Sep for perspective candidates which you didn’t attend. And we had statutory business to deal with last Monday (10th) so we included anor opp for you to attend at that. The people will have a choice. It just won’t include you #Aras18
— Patrick McKee (@CllrPaddyMcKee) September 12, 2018
As you well know, Kerry and Cork City Council were also held on Sept 3rd. You had seven years to prepare for #Aras2018 and not hold meetings on the same day #EndCorruptionNow
— Gemma O’Doherty (@gemmaod1) September 12, 2018
Thats why we had anor meeting on 10th which u were an hour late for. Othr candidates havent complained. They prepared, had teams in place & indeed had courtesy to call each Cllr for an in-depth chat on their priorities etc U did none of this. It isn’t us Gemma, its u I’m afraid.
— Patrick McKee (@CllrPaddyMcKee) September 12, 2018
Gemma is gone full Alex Jones.
Fianna Fáil V Tin Foil? I don’t know who I’d prefer to see lose.
You forgot Anti-vaxx, anti-trans, anti-abortion Daisy, that hat is falling in front of your eyes!
Well aren’t you just the sweetest little puppy. If I throw a stick will you fetch?
Woof woof…
Did she sing “The Snowman” to them?
it’s not a public building, it’s a private building owned by a public body.
O’Doherty yet again displaying her ignorance of the workings of all levels of democracy.
Can see what Gallagher is doing but if O’Doherty gets on the ticket, she’ll do well. This is the Age of Trump and Brexit after all
She will in her bottom area.
I’d say they’re slightly afraid of Gemma.
I think I am.
Im waiting for her ‘YOU WANT THE TRUTH? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!’ moment.
That’s inevitable and I will have popcorn ready when it does
Wait until 2025 when Bertie, Cowan and Howlin are on the ticket.
I see that Gallagher asked for councils to nominate other candidates in the interest of democracy.
Credit where it’s due, yes?
+ 1
That’s the only +1 Thumbhead gets from me :)
exactly the same logic that put Trump and Corbyn on ballots which has worked out swimmingly
No idea what party he represents but I like the cut of Councillor McKee’s jib
He’s FF. Oh well,
He gave Renua a go too…
I like the floor mosaic of Sligo CoCo. If not elected to the Arus, she can always retire to the Lake Isle and live alone in the bee-loud glade.
We don’t want her, thanks all the same.
She is a normal person.
Ah here!
To the hacks that refuse to see an honest and decent Irish presidential candidate that is at the mercy of a corrupt political system to get a nomination.
And to look at all the independent senators and TD’s who don’t seem to think that Gemma O’Doherty is worth a nomination for democracy sake.
It really baffles me.
This is unbelievable. But when you look at how this country and it’s people is represented it’s not really that difficult to believe.
To the trolls and shills.
Ye’re weak weak people that can’t even acknowledge a concerned citizen when she is standing right in front of you and single handedly facing down FFFG majority councils demanding them to #EndCorruptionNow.
The same county councillors that rezoned the country with their property developer mates and when the crash came they jumped on the gravy train of NAMA. That gave us vulture funds and this property crisis.
So the woman that dared go into the lions den to challenge them eye ball to eye ball is now the number one enemy of the state.? Weird!
She should have went in like the other 3 nominated candidates and ignored the elephant in the room.
That’s the typical old Irish mentality of keep your head down and say nothing, don’t rock the boat, Shur we’re all doing alright now. Don’t be bringing trouble to our door.
It’s engrained in us never to question authority. Just look at our history.
And when one brave soul dares to speak up for the greater good of the decent Irish people she is torn to shreds.
Why?
Because we don’t have the balls to stand up behind her.
Instead in pure Irish begrudging fashion she is called out as mental, lunny, mad, unhinged, crazy. These are only some of the words used repeatedly on social media to describe a human being who has always shown to have the concerns of the Irish people at the forefront of her mind.
In the same week we had suicide prevention day this behavior makes me think I can really understand why some people would just call it quits.
Not Genma O’Doherty though. She knows that this is a battle of inches. She has being around this corrupt society long enough to know she will be vindicated in the end.
Let’s not forget the Disclosures Tribunal report is due soon.
For all the trolls and government shills on here that are getting paid to bully intimate label and discredit Gemma O’Doherty ye know exactly what ye are.
Ye are exactly like the scum that kicked in the door in Fredrick St last evening.
Faceless nameless and paid government goons.
There is absolutely no way that decent Irish citizens would so vehemently go out of their way to discredit an independently minded citizen who speaks for the have nots and the ordinary decent people of this land. Ourland, Ireland.
The thought of someone like O’Doherty getting even nominated is a sign that she would shake up this poxy corrupt system.
So which side are you on lads?
which side are you on?
We already know how many slum landlords are in this country and where their allegiance lies and lies.
If you’re not part of the solution then you must be part of the problem.
Remember now, before you attempt to put me in my place.
However you discredit me for speaking up for the underdog it will only reflect negatively on you for showing allegiance to the corruption that pays you not to think for yourself.
I can’t say this enough,
If you have a problem with Gemma O’Doherty, a crime journalist that has been exposing corruption over all areas of Irish life for the past 20 years then it really isn’t the potential president you need to have a problem with.
Wake the Fuck up #Ignoreland
#LetGemmaRun
#EndCorruptionNow
#Gemma4Aras18
Natalie Merchant – Which Side Are You On
https://youtu.be/2hGRcScbmqg
Very well articulated. 100 per cent agree.
Great post Johnny
I have a problem with GO’D for her HPV vaccine scaremongering and her repeated attempts to dodge questions on it.
+1
She makes a very valid point that you cannot be in 5 places at the one time and even on here she is told that she doesn’t understand the democratic process? Why is this potential candidate getting such a hard time over all others? Maybe the answer is in plain sight. She is an independently minded journalist. Let the people decide.
That is real democracy.
She makes a very valid point that you cannot be in 5 places at the one time
And yet theres already been one candidate who’s managed to get nominated.
Is that the helicoptered one?
Being a conspiracy theorist is not the same as independently minded. She is anti-vax, anti-choice, ant-science and prone to complete nonsense. The Veronica Guerin debacle is really only one of many thinks that is alarming about her.
I would love a genuine anti-corruption candidate in office that would speak to power. I would love someone to buck against the status quo about housing, healthcare and the nepotism and cronyism this country is prone to, but I don’t think someone that’s a stark raving lunatic is doing those causes any good.
Also, she’s running as an anti-corruption candidate for the most in-effective public office to do anything about corruption. That means she’s looking for a cushy, good paying job and a nice pad in the Phoenix Park paid for by the tax payer, or she genuinely has no idea of the constitution role of the Prez. At least if she just admitted she was the former some might respect the transparency.
If she is what you say then let her defend your list. I, like many others, are just asking why she should not be allowed on the ticket?
I am yet to see anyone anywhere say she should not be ‘allowed’ run. This narrative is a complete invention of hers and usefull idiots like Johnny.
She is currently endevoring to get a nomination in the exact same manner as the others are. No person or public body is standing in her way
rotide when I was talking about paid govt trolls you know I was thinking of what you actually look like.
It’s scary!
Your crowd, let’s just say the establishment. Comprised of FFFG are actively working hard to make sure (with help of tools like you) that GO’D will get nowhere near the presidential ticket because they know that the greater Irish public would vote for a true candidate that would represent the need of the people and not the greed of the elite.
The corporate establishment that you and your cronies represent. The same crowd that bleeds this country dry on a daily basis.
And yet here you are, doing her down. I suppose like every other profession, journalism has it’s politics.
Am i missing something? Since when did disagreeing with someone equate to actually stopping her from doing anything?
Like I don’t think she should be president. I also don’t think Gallagher should be president. The only ACTUAL way I have of ensuring that is by not voting for them. Which I won’t be doing.
And yet you only post on GO’D. What is it about her that rouses you?
“paid govt trolls” ….really…
She isn’t defending the list though. She has a twitter account which is my exposure to her, I presume she has a facebook account. She (despite her saying the opposite) has been given platforms to make her point or to rectify the criticisms against her, including the Piers Morgan/Donald Trump style puff pieces she gets on this website,
but as we learnt with Phillip Boucher Hayes the other day she made an eejit of herself.
you’ve changed my mind, I’m voting for yer wan who listens to Jim Corr and was missing the day they taught corroboration at journalism skool
It would take about 3 hours to quote and rebut and pick apart the absolute and complete nonsense that this post is so I sure as hell am not going to bother. Maybe my paymasters at FFFG HQ will dock me some pay. It’s worth it though to avoid reading that junior cert paranoid drivel again.
Ok and your opinion of the other candidates is?
You can be sure it doesn’t feature an #ImpossibleIdealThatSoundsGoodInAHashtag
Please, do me the respect of actually answering.
I’ll give mine…
Joan Freeman – At first when I heard she was running, I thought ‘cool’, but I haven’t warmed to anything since. The bit about her claiming “Knock cured my eczema” is a big no, no for me. I’m not anti-religious but I am anti-spiritual-miracle cures. Maybe a third choice for me… maybe.
Thumbhead – Not on your nelly, dont trust him. And I defo dont think he is Pres material nor a suitable candidate.
Gemma O’D – I haven’t made up my mind yet. Not looking good, but I’ll keep an open mind on it. I dont believe she’s an anti-vaxer, I believe she is advising caution with regard to the trust put in drug companies (I came to that conclusion after a RTE Radio 1 interview last week), and there’s nothing wrong with that. [On HPV, I believe it should also be given to boys. And I’ve read the only reason it is not is down to cost.]
Miggledee – So far, still gets my vote.Proved himself very suited to the job, and an excellent choice for representing Ireland in what is largely a diplomatic role.
I had to google who the fifth was… no feckin’ way is that Gavin Duffy getting my vote :)
I think you pretty much nailed it on the head there Clampers. Could you maybe link that Gemma O’Doherty interview if you have it? I wouldn’t mind having a listen to it
Spot on, Johnny.
Very well put Johnny, good man for standing up and speaking up. As somebody mentioned at the weekend, Maurice McCabe was treated abominably too, for a long time, before his truth was laid bare. The other presidential candidates aren’t getting a fraction of the drilling that Gemma currently is, over issues that have nothing to do with presidency, deflection on a monumental scale.
This country is riddled with liars and cowards that will never possess an iota of the courage Gemma does. Bought and sold cretinous lapdogs and sheep.
I’ll second that With a +1 Miggeldy
Some Councillors are not coming out very well out of this.
If McKee were a general curmudgeon it wouldn’t be as bad but a quick glance at his tweets illustrates he has no difficulty generously complimenting people such as bishops, lawyers etc.
And although he criticises Gemma O’Doherty for arriving late (like a Christian brother, it’s ALWAYS you, or, as he says ‘u’) his own spelling is atrocious for a trainee solicitor.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CC’s explanation for their failure to nominate is appalling as well. They might not be under an obligation to nominate but a power carries with it the responsibility to act fairly and I wonder if they can be said to have given the candidates a fair opportunity to be heard.
Apart from anything else, Mr McKee’s tweets lack kindness. Like many of the young journalists ready to do battle with Gemma O’Doherty on twitter, he is at the start of his career. Perhaps he will learn more kindness as he grows older. It’s a virtue sadly lacking in the twitter commentary regarding this election.
One of the saddest things about this commentary is the constant derogatory references to mental health, as well as the group assumption that people should not do things that other people disapprove of, and if they do they deserve a good kicking. This is just terrible. Have we learnt nothing?
Would Gemma O’Doherty be a good President? I’m not sure. But I respect her determination and I think that no human being deserves the type of rudeness and cruelty that has been flung at her on twitter by tweeters ranging from former colleagues to people who have never met her. Just appalling. What has she actually done to deserve it, apart from demonstrate what some would say are ‘notions’? And don’t we all have these, to a greater or lesser degree?
If this type of attitude continues to be shown, it will only encourage the people like me to vote in her favour, now or subsequently. Win or lose in this election, I hope she’s not going away.
‘What has she actually done to deserve it, apart from demonstrate what some would say are ‘notions’? And don’t we all have these, to a greater or lesser degree?’
It’s fine to have notions, aka ambition, but be honest about it. Don’t dress it up as a desire to end corruption, when you know this is not an office that lends itself to much beyond pressing flesh and making florid speeches. Otherwise, I agree with you.
Fine post Sib!
McKee is an FF’r so he’ll be backing Thumbhead I’m sure… which might explain his temperament.
Having played the interviews, I think she’s quite genuine in her desire to end corruption.
I am very sceptical about the value of the Presidency generally.
Win or lose I think her run for the Presidency has illustrated that Ireland has not changed very much in many ways from the era of the Magdalen laundries. We seem to just get into a sort of hivemind. Where is it appropriate to sling insults about someone’s mental capacity and state on twitter, and to request a candidate not to run on the faux basis that you are concerned about them?
Her campaign so far has also shown up Irish journalism. The public are not imbeciles. We can read her work and make our mind up for ourselves without the likes of Peter Murtagh (remember his piece about Kate Fitzgerald) lowering himself by making jokes about her on twitter. And it’s not just one journalist who acts unprofessionally, it’s the whole lot of them. Kitty Holland (possibly the only one who could be excused, initially at least) not knowing when to step away from the keyboard. The big boys (Clifford, Cooper and Murtagh) having a chuckle. The younger crowd (Conor Gallagher, Hugh O’Connell) trying to impress the older guys and gain status. It’s all very unedifying.
I am not talking about your comments Lily which fall into a different category.
The Peter Murtaghs really showed their true colours; those tweets said more about them than ever could about GO’D. Maybe some good will come of it: a) the office is scrapped (preferably) or b) GO’D and her supporters succeed in changing the criteria for eligibility to run.
I hope so because reading those tweets was very depressing. All those media complaints about the mob below the green baize door, Broadsheet commenters etc. They were far meaner and less witty.
Trying to pressure other people to join their gang, too. Appalling.
https://twitter.com/ConorGallaghe_r/status/1031518130143731712
12 of the 31 county councils have given nominations (Gallagher 5, Freeman 4, Duffy 3) but does anyone know if councils have to give a nomination? If so, and they follow Gallagher’s advice, there’s every chance GO’D will get a nomination.
They don’t have to nominate (though they are under a duty to exercise their discretion whether or not to do so properly).
Cheers Sib.
I know it’s anecdotal but I’ve seen more negative comment about Gallagher on Twitter than about GO’D. He doesn’t exactly get an easy ride here either.
Before anyone jumps in, I’ll not be voting for him and nobody paid me to post this.
The level of negative comments about G O’D from journalists has been just incredible. I mean even if it was all true wouldn’t you think that it would be enough for just one person to say it rather than all of them joining in together. And the awful liking of one another’s tweets. Just pathetic. Schoolyard in fact.
Since you believe her desire to end corruption is genuine, any idea what could account for the disconnect between that goal and the limitations of the office?
Lilly, time you transferred your unhealthy and uncouth dogging and slandering of Gemma to all the other candidates. In the interest of balance and fairness, make damned sure you descipher every facet and increment of their careers and life journeys, away you trot, the clocks ticking …
Why the hostility to a question about what GO’D has made the core of her campaign?
Lily
Just some ideas
In relation to how running for presidential office is compatible with a genuine desire to remedy corruption:
i. gives her a platform to discuss the issues involved
ii. communicating them to people who would not otherwise be aware of them
iii. demonstrates the limitations and bias of our current MSM (imo she has already done this)
iv. creates a sense of possibility and removes the fear of other people against being attacked
v. empowers other people to stand up even where they may be subjected to harsh criticism for doing so.
Her election would be a strong statement against corruption and an assertion that the Irish people want to move on from documenting system abuse and are prepared to be proactive in changing it. I think it would give other people courage to be proactive in fighting corruption and take away their fear of being personally attacked if they do so.
To give you an example of how the fear of personal attack may discourage people from speaking out.
As a result of my commenting on this site an anonymous email (from guerilla mail) was sent to my employers containing details of my involvement with Broadsheet, personal life, allegations that I was not doing my job properly, suggestions that I suffered from a communicable disease and a threat to throw battery acid in the face of someone close to me.
Because of this email, I withdrew from commenting online as I felt it was too much hassle.
I now realise from the response to Gemma that if anything is going to change we are going to have to stop being afraid and therefore I am back commenting. Sorry for making this response about me but it is just an example of how people can be made afraid to speak out.
Thanks for the reply Sib, good to see you back commenting. That chimes with a point made by Parka the Otter a few days ago, that it’s more about the election and the statement of intent than it is about the actual office.
There are some abusive cretins online alright – we don’t have to look too far! – glad they didn’t succeed in silencing you.
@ Sibling
What happened to you for commenting on here is disgusting and terrifying. Good on you for deciding to come back onto BS, bullies and Intimidators cannot win out.
When I was younger a sales rep I had to sign off paperwork on- on his advertising gains – was putting ads through free of charge but pocketing the money. I had to report it because I could have been implicated, subsequently I was bullied by the manager and other colleagues stopped talking to me, I’d no choice but to find another job.
Years later I spoke up for a new employee that was being bullied and treated in a derogatory way by an established member of staff, the manageress did nothing, the same as other colleagues who witnessed the bullying on a daily basis, nobody said a word. I don’t understand how people can witness this sort of behaviour and do and say nothing.
Thanks for the insight into your experiences, it would be good to see other people open up about their experiences.
…great to see your name appearing again lately, Sibling…sorry to hear you were subject to such abuse…you have easily been one of the best contributors to this site over the years…
Holy crap, is that for real sibling? I assume you checked all avenues with Bodger?
The thought of someone going to the bother of tracking you down and sending that sort of email is mind boggling. I always assume the further out people here are either trolls are just a bit soft. Sobering to discover otherwise.
Anyway, Don’t agree with you a single bit but welcome back!
Thanks very much.
I think group bullying is the worst and it occurs a lot. What I have seen happen a lot is that the person who stands up for the person being bullied then gets bullied themselves.
I think there is a lot to be said for encouraging kindness.
Why don’t Sligo County Council webcast their meetings live on the web, you’d have to be amused
about their objection of them being filmed as the same Councillor Mr Keaney is constantly pictured
in the local Sligo Newspapers…..in fact he should be in the Guiness Book of World Records as the
most photographed personage around.
Exactly what goes on at County Council Meeting…..is it not time that there is a recorded video and
audio archive of the proceedings…..Imagine Yeats casting a cold eye on some of the members of
Sligo County Council…..did Joe Queenan attend
A fair question. Why don’t all county councils?
I asked a councillor once who was in favour of webcasts. She said those who opposed said it would be too expensive.
It would make sense that Councils allowed meetings to be webcast given that meetings are open to the public generally.
The Local Government Act, 2001 gives the public and the press a general right to be present at local authority meetings. However, if the council has a special reason for doing so, it can decide by a resolution of at least 50% of its total members to hold the meeting in a private committee but it must be in the overall public interest to do so.
Not everyone wants a camera stuck in their face 24/7.
County Councils don’t meet 24/7. The houses of the Oireachtas are televised, why not County Council meetings? Transparency can only strengthen democracy.
I’d be happy to see Gemma in the race however her ‘all guns blazing’ approach is hardly conducive to winning the hearts and minds of conservative councillors.
Contrast that with Gallagher who knows the game and talks their language.
The Council route is a numbers game and she simply doesn’t have them.
Perspective candidates? These candidates are small, those ones are far away.