Wexford councillors snubbed again as Ukrainian Ambassador visits New Ross – ‘I take umbrage with being left on the side lines’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

For the second time in as many months the ‘first citizen’ of New Ross has not been invited to meet and greet an international dignitary visiting the town. Last month the district’s elected representatives complained bitterly about being overlooked for the visit of the Moroccan Ambassador to New Ross and now, just weeks later, it has happened again.

On this occasion, Ms Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, was in town to meet her compatriots at a special event organised by the South West Wexford Family Resource Centre (SWWFRC). However, once more none of the local councillors received an invite.

“I’m getting a little bit tired of seeing all these wonderful things happening in the community and the people who have been supporting them day in and day out being left on the sidelines,” said Councillor Michael Sheehan at the July meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD). “This is the third incident in the last couple of months where the cathaoirleach of this district has been sidelined.”

Mindful that one of those incidents saw Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy pictured with the Moroccan Ambassador, Cllr Pat Barden of the Wexford Independent Alliance was quick to point out that invites had been issued on that occasion.

“I believe (district manager) Alan Fitzhenry was informed of that visit,” he said.

“It’s not up to the district manager to invite us to events,” replied Cllr Sheehan. “It would be a courtesy to notify all the councillors.”

As the newly-elected cathaoirleach of the NRMD, Cllr John Dwyer now assumes the role of first citizen of New Ross and he confirmed there had been no invites issued for either ambassadorial visit.

"I do believe Alan was invited to the event with the Moroccan Ambassador in his capacity as district manager, but there was certainly no invitation to the councillors,” he said. “And there was no invitation offered to the cathaoirleach of either Wexford County Council or this district to attend the event with the Ukrainian Ambassador.”

Cllr Sheehan meanwhile, had no doubt that the organisers of the most recent event would be capable of contacting the district office when it was to their own benefit.

“I take umbrage when people come flying in and we’re left on the sidelines – except when it comes to budget time, then we getting letters saying ‘we need this’. It’s happening too often, we need to nip it in the bud and inform people of the protocol here, it’s up to whoever’s co-ordinating the event to make sure the elected members are invited.”

Keen to ensure all local organisations were aware of the protocols regarding the district office and the need to invite the cathaoirleach to public events, Mr Fitzhenry suggested he could write to each organisation to explain how to proceed in future. This suggestion was immediately shot down.

“The people who are organising these events would know perfectly well what the protocols are,” said Cllr Dywer.

“They know exactly what they’re doing,” agreed Cllr Sheehan.

At this point, director of services Eamonn Hore interjected.

“We’ve had ambassadors here to beat the band, and if the Ukrainian Ambassador or the Moroccan Ambassador doesn’t tell us they want to meet the council we can’t force them,” he said.

After the meeting, Jack Butler, chairperson of the board of management at the South West Wexford Family Resource Centre (SWWFRC) issued the following statement.

“I’d like to note that this event was organised by SWWFC and Blokes with Cameras as a community-focused gathering to highlight the strength, culture, and resilience of our local Ukraine families alongside our wider community. The visit by Ambassadir Gerasko was a celebration of grassroots support and inclusion, and the guest list reflected those directly involved in that ongoing local work.

"We remain committed to engaging with all stakeholders in support of our shared community mission.”