Independent Councillor Frank McBrearty has been hit with a one-month suspension from Donegal County Council meetings.
The Raphoe representative was asked to leave the Plenary meeting of the council several times today, leading to six adjournments over three hours.
Cathaoirleach Jack Murray said that he could not proceed with the agenda due to Cllr McBrearty “being disruptive and disregarding the will of the Chair.”
Cllr McBrearty refused to leave the Aura Leisure Centre venue, which resulted in elected members invoking a Standing Order to vote to suspend him.
It was decided that a one month suspension – the minimum level- would be imposed on Cllr McBrearty for all meetings of the local authority, all committee meetings and meetings of the municipal district.
Cllr McBrearty opposed the decision and claimed that a democratic right was taken from him.
Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig was the only elected member to vote against the suspension and commented that the Chair could have explored other ways to proceed.
Cllr Murray said: “We have to get our business done, we have all been elected and we all have mandates. If one member is hell-bent on disrupting the meeting and ensuring that nothing happens, we haven’t even passed the minutes of the meeting today, that is just unacceptable.”
County Council proceedings were adjourned for the day, and postponed until Monday 7th February.
