Waterford councillors clash over planned St. Patrick’s Day trip to United States

Waterford councillors have clashed over the Mayor’s planned St. Patrick’s Day trip to the United States.

Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne spoke on the subject at the January plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Hearne raised concerns about the United States’ ties to Israel and the actions of US President Donald Trump.

“We’ve passed many motions in support of Palestine and we all feel very strongly about it, we know that.

“I think [Israel] will be judged very harshly in time for the butchering they’ve done on Palestinians.

READ NEXT: ‘Very sad news’ - Popular Waterford café closes its doors for final time

“But I think the way Trump is going at the moment - he’s threatening Greenland, he’s threatening Columbia, he’s threatening Iran, he’s threatening every place he can threaten.”

He continued by pointing out that the US has been supplying weapons to Israel. He also called for the council to reflect before sending representatives to the country.

Cllr Hearne stated: “I’m just wondering if we’re true to ourselves and we do support the sanctions against all the different countries that are doing wrong against their civilians.

“I think we need to reflect on the upcoming visit to Chicago. I’ve no problem going out visiting other cultural areas for St. Patrick’s Day but I think we could be caught out.

“They’re killing as many people as the Israelis are. I think if we switched the trip to Canada I think it would be a better thing to do.”

In response, Director of Services Ivan Grimes corrected Cllr Hearne by saying that the Mayor’s trip will actually be to Boston, not Chicago.

Mr Grimes added that the flights have already been booked, so the trip will be going ahead as planned.

Later in the meeting, Fianna Fáil councillor Jason Murphy responded to the points laid out by Cllr Hearne.

Cllr Murphy said: “In relation to the Mayor’s trip to Boston. I was the first mayor to go to Boston last year and I really hope it continues.

“On that trip we made a lot of positive connections with the Irish diaspora in Boston - business groups, cultural groups and community groups.”

Addressing the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Seamus Ryan, he said: “I know you’ll build on that on your trip to Boston. I really hope that continues to go ahead, irrespective of Donald Trump in the White House.”

Cllr Murphy went on to slam what he described as the hypocrisy of Sinn Féin in calling for the Mayor not to travel to Boston.

He stated: “I find it a bit hypocritical and a bit unusual that Sinn Féin are asking for you not to go to Boston when they themselves attended many gatherings in Boston, New York and all over the States.

“I think last year they raised up to $400,000 at $1000 a plate meals. Donald Trump and all but I suppose money talks.”

Last year, the then Mayor Murphy travelled to Boston alongside Chief Executive Sean McKeown. Over four days, they attended a number of delegations in which they looked to “explore opportunities for collaboration”.

Waterford City and County Council has been approached for comment on the details of this year's trip.