Cork mayor apologises for appearing to support blockade of building for asylum seekers
Long-serving Fianna Fáil Cllr Frank O’Flynn (pictured) also moved to distance himself from the far-right movement, in the wake of Thursday night’s riots in Dublin, in the wave of fresh criticism of his decision to attend the public meeting in Fermoy last week which was addressed by Mr Blighe. File picture
The Mayor of Cork County has apologised for any offence he may have caused after he appeared to publicly support calls from anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe for a blockade of a property in North Cork earmarked for international protection applicants.
Long-serving Fianna Fáil Cllr Frank O’Flynn also moved to distance himself from the far-right movement, in the wake of Thursday night’s riots in Dublin, in the wave of fresh criticism of his decision to attend the public meeting in Fermoy last week which was addressed by Mr Blighe.
“I do not stand with or alongside the far-right movement, or any persons who represent this position," Mr O'Flynn told the on Friday.
He did not respond to questions about whether he could continue to attend county council events promoting inclusion and diversity, or if he would consider his position.
The Cork Rebels for Peace group condemned the mayor, and several other local county councillors, for associating with Mr Blighe, the founder of Ireland First, who has spoken at several anti-immigrant protests, and who has attended several protests at libraries over LGBTQ+ reading material.
The street meeting was held last week outside a property on Fermoy’s St James's Place which is set to house 56 international protection applicants.
Addressing the gathering of between 20 and 30 people, Mr O’Flynn said he had no problem with Ukrainians or asylum seeker families coming to Fermoy, but he did have concerns about single male asylum seekers being accommodated in such centres.
“I stand four square with the people of Fermoy and the people of the area on what’s happening here,” he said, as he urged people to email the Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, to highlight their concerns about the proposal.
“If it’s not good enough for the people, it’s not good enough for Frank O’Flynn. We are not going to stand for this and the one thing that is going to succeed is people power, the more people that come out and let the minister know we are not going to stand for this in our beautiful town (the better).”
Mr Blighe then asked Mr O’Flynn to say whether he would be willing to join in a blockade outside the building to stop asylum seekers entering the premises. Mr O’Flynn said "no problem”—twice.
In the wake of Thursday’s riots in Dublin, which Garda Commissioner Drew Harris blamed on a “lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology", Mr O’Flynn and the other councillors faced criticism from the Cork Rebels for Peace group for associating with individuals who have been involved in anti-immigrant protests in Cork.
The Fermoy and Mallow Against Division group, which mounted counter-protests and events in Fermoy last year to welcome international protection applicants to the town, also criticised the politicians.
“Literally hundreds of local people have been involved in integration activities of one kind or another,” the group said.
“Many positive friendships formed through the Sanctuary runners, and International Choir, StreetFeast celebrations through St Joseph’s residents volunteering in local charities.
“Failte Isteach voluntary English classes were set up by amazing volunteers in Fermoy. They meet twice a week to drink coffee and practice English.
“The integration of people in St. Josephs has been a resounding success because local people reached out the hand of friendship.”
In a statement to the on Friday, Mr O’Flynn said he attended last week's public meeting in his capacity as a local councillor.
"I attended upon invitation, a meeting organised by my local community, in relation to the suitability surrounding a proposed premises to accommodate international protection applicants," he said.
“I had no knowledge of who was invited to this meeting and was not part of organising same.
“As I have openly stated, I wanted to ensure that the process of accommodation was suitable both in terms of the town of Fermoy, its community, and the international protection applicants.
“I was prepared to stand with my community to ensure this process was adhered to.
“Let me reiterate, I have no objection to persons seeking international protection and have always adopted an approach of inclusivity and diversity.
"I would like to apologise for any offence that I may have caused and regret any interpretation that is contrary to my fundamental beliefs.”
He said he also wanted to “wholeheartedly condemn the abhorrent scenes” that took place in Dublin on Thursday night.
“It was utterly repulsive to see and I hope will never be seen again,” he said.
