Fine Gael councillor receives cross‑party support after misogyny claim

Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin says he has been contacted by colleagues from across the political divide offering solidarity after a claim of “misogyny” was levelled against him at a recent Limerick City and County Council meeting.

The incident occurred during a special meeting last month on the future of Limerick’s 367‑camera CCTV network. Galvin defended Mayor John Moran and was criticised by Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Slattery, who said the Mayor had raised the funding issue too late and needed to “up his game”. Galvin replied that it was the Department of Justice and Minister Jim O’Callaghan who needed to “up their game”.

Slattery accused Galvin of abuse, to which he responded that there was no abuse and questioned whether the allegation amounted to misogyny. He asked Slattery to retract her statement at the time and again at the full council meeting later in the month, but no retraction or apology has been made.

In an interview with the Limerick Post, Galvin described the term “misogyny” as “one of the worst words that can be thrown around the Council chamber” and said it should not be used in a public forum. He added that many of his fellow councillors have phoned and texted him to show their support and that the comment should have been withdrawn.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: Laura Musikanski / Pexels.