Lord Mayor received death threats from 'those of a certain political persuasion'
Tensions were high in City Hall last night as the Lord Mayor refused an emergency motion - and cited receiving death threats from those of a "certain political persuasion."
At yesterday's monthly meeting of Dublin City Council, Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam found himself in a heated exchange with Cllr Gavin Pepper following his rejection of an emergency motion concerning the alleged attack of a child in the care of Tusla in Citywest. Lord Mayor McAdam denied the motion on the grounds the Council had "no functional responsibility" in the issue.
While Cllr Pepper described the refusal as "tone deaf" and asked for full transparency from Tusla regarding a "deeply tragic case," Lord Mayor McAdam stressed that the topic was related to an outside body with nothing to do with Dublin City Council . As a matter that is now before the court, Lord Mayor McAdam stressed he would not "put up with" this issue being used to fuel online targeting of representatives.
Lord Mayor cited a previous council meeting regarding the presidential race that led to him to being targeted by people online and receiving death threats. "I’m not having the chair of this council be used by people of a certain political persuasion to therefore then allow members of the public to issue death threats," he said.
While Cllr Pepper warned that attempting to associate him with any death threats was a very serious allegation and "disrespectful," Lord Mayor McAdam stressed he wasn’t accusing Cllr Pepper of any involvement but it was important to recognise the way social media amplifies heated exchanges and puts representatives at risk.
“Those of a certain political persuasion will use this incident between you and I on social media and it will be the same for other colleagues. I’m not accusing you of it, but others will use this incident on social media for their benefit and I'm not putting up with it,” he said.
This clash came as Cllr Pepper requested full transparency from Tusla during a time when “public confidence in child protection is already fragile.” However, Lord Mayor McAdam stated that his interpretation of standing orders meant it was not an issue “requiring immediate action of the Council.”
“It is my decision as Lord Mayor. The next Lord Mayor may have a different interpretation but that’s the interpretation I'm taking,” Lord Mayor McAdam stated.
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