O'Donoghue faces more protests at clinics
Wednesday March 10 2010
SOUTH Kerry TD John O'Donoghue has been accused of cowardice by the Kerry Public Service Workers' Alliance after he refused to meet with protesting civil servants outside his constituency clinic in Killarney at the weekend.
Deputy O'Donoghue left his constituency clinic in Killarney last Friday evening and refused to address members of the KPSWA who had gathered outside of the Arbutus Hotel.
The 70-strong crowd assembled outside his office were members of an alliance of public service workers in the county, including gardai, teachers, nurses, ambulance workers, civil servants and social welfare workers.
Deputy O'Donoghue issued a statement saying he was willing to meet a small delegation of the protesters to discuss their concerns
"I would very much welcome the opportunity to meet with a delegation from the Kerry Public Sector Workers' Alliance," said Deputy O'Donoghue.
"Public sector workers throughout the county are experiencing a lot of very real problems at the moment. As a representative for Kerry South I would like to play my part. I'd like to hear some realistic solutions to these problems and see if some sort of compromise can be developed. If the alliance has practical suggestions that can be implemented, I'd like to hear from them."
"I've noted that the group has been visiting the constituency clinics of all the Government TDs from Kerry in recent weeks and I would welcome the chance to have a meaningful discussion with a delegation from the alliance about these important issues," Deputy O'Donoghue said.
This invitation was rejected by the assembled KPSWA members and subsequently Deputy O'Donoghue refused to address the protesters and left the hotel.
Cormac Williams of the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the KPSWA said that if Deputy O'Donoghue refuses to meet the protesters that he'll feel their wrath come election day.
"This man is hiding but will get his reply in the ballot box. He is no longer the Ceann Comhairle and will therefore have to face the electorate," he said.
John Duggan, Chairman of the Ambulance Council pointed out that both Deputies Jackie Healy Rae and Tom McEllistrim addressed KPSWA protests at their respective clinics.
The KPSWA is demanding an unconditional reversal of pay cuts and has protested outside the constituency offices of all of the Kerry TDs who supported the cuts.
The KPSWA said it plans to return again to Mr O'Donoghue's clinic in the hope that he may address them in person.
- SIMON BROUDER
