Unfazed Dollard survives Town Council confrontation

An attempt to force Mullingar Town Council chairman Mick Dollard to resign from his post over issues regarding his military service record appear to have foundered, at least as far as the town body is concerned.Councillors Betty Doran (Green) and Frank McIntyre (Independent) failed to win key support from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members at a tempestuous meeting of the council on Thursday night of last week - and on Friday morning, Cllr. Doran announced her decision to resign from the Town Council over the issue (see separate story on page 3).A motion submitted by Cllr. McIntyre said that recent events had 'brought the integrity of Mullingar Town Council into question', and called for members discuss how to 'restore the good name of the Council in the minds of the general public'.Further documents and newspaper cuttings were produced, which Cllr. McIntyre claimed offered proof that Cllr. Dollard had lied about his age, and his record of military service with the United Nations peacekeeping forces.But Cllr. Dollard rejected the motion, reading out a resumé of his career in local politics, much to the chagrin of Cllrs. Doran and McIntyre.'What has all of this got to do with telling lies? Are you or are you not a liar?' Cllr. McIntyre interjected, as the chairman spoke of his involvement with the National Army Spouses" Association and the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen (ONE).Cllr. Doran accused the Labour man of 'bringing Mullingar Town Council into disrepute' and of using a chain of office 'while telling lies in front of eminent army officers and veterans'.As the interruptions became louder, Cllr. Dollard asked his critics to 'have respect for the chair'.'Not with you in it,' Cllr. Doran replied.Quoting the Bible, Cllr. Dollard said that 'let he who is without sin, cast the first stone', adding that he was a 'democrat' who looked forward to leading the Labour Party in the next local elections.'I intend to kill this motion. I have no intention of resigning, and I would like to thank all those who have supported me and continue to support me,' he said.Amid the heated exchanges, all eyes turned to the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members as they cast their judgment on proceedings.'I"m saddened by these events,' Fianna Fáil"s Cllr. Jim Bourke said. 'This body does great work, and it"s vitally important that its integrity is upheld.'The final position of the Fianna Fáil group was delivered by Cllr. Ken Glynn, who announced that if the motion came to a vote, both he and Cllr. Bourke would 'sit on the fence'.A similar decision was taken by the Fine Gael group, with Cllr. Ruth Illingworth speaking for herself and Cllr. Pat Whelan.Speaking as 'an individual who comes from a military family', Cllr. Illingworth said that she had 'no right to sit in judgment', but remarked that Cllr. Dollard had 'clearly dishonoured' veterans of U.N. peacekeeping in the Congo and Lebanon.'If there is anyone who deserves an apology it"s them,' she remarked. 'To tell lies is wrong, and I feel that you should apologise again. But it will be for the electorate to make the judgment in June.'I don"t wish to see this issue become a vote, nor do I feel that the integrity of the Town Council has been harmed. I am pained by what has happened, and I am concerned about this poisonous atmosphere which has affected the way we do our work,' Cllr. Illingworth concluded.The decision of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties to abstain angered Cllr. Doran. 'Is loyalty to party politics more important than truth and honesty?' she asked. 'I hope the army veterans living in Mullingar know what you all think.'