Councillor Slattery refuses to retract alleged “misogyny” comment

Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Slattery declined to withdraw an alleged accusation of “misogyny” made against Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin during a special Limerick City and County Council meeting on the future of the city’s 367‑camera CCTV network.

The heated exchange took place in the Dooradoyle chamber in September. Slattery criticised Mayor John Moran for scheduling the CCTV discussion late in the day and told him to “up his game”. Galvin defended the Mayor and suggested that the Department of Justice and Minister Jim O’Callaghan needed to improve their approach.

In response, Slattery allegedly used the term “misogyny” to describe Galvin’s remarks. Galvin asked for the word to be retracted at a subsequent full council meeting, telling Príomh Comhairleoir Cllr Tom Ruddle that the term was “the wrong word to use” and that he had never heard it in his 23 years on the council.

Ruddle explained he could not compel Slattery to withdraw the statement but assured Galvin that the issue would not be ignored. Galvin insisted the language should not be tolerated in the chamber, while Slattery declined to comment further, stating “No, thank you”.

The comment made during the special meeting will not be recorded in the official minutes.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: Christian Wasserfallen / Pexels.