Bree Case Takes Place This Wednesday 21st

by Tribesman Thu Sep 22, 2005 22:57

The Labour Party in Galway will be in big trouble if she leaves the party!

by G Hawk Thu Sep 22, 2005 15:09

Pat Rabbitte, has plunged himself and the Labour party into a most unseemly public row over Travellers. Rabbitte returned from Clonmel this week to deal with a heavy handed disciplinary charge against Sligo councillor and former TD, Declan Bree, that is likely to become more embarrassing as the issue is highlighted in a series of party meetings and likely legal action.
When two of Bree’s Labour comrades, Cllr Veronica Cawley and Jim McGarry, voted with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to oppose Sligo’s Traveller accommodation programme, Bree – who voted along with Sinn Fein councillors for the Town Council programme – publicly denounced the two party members. A complaints procedure has now been instigated, not against the two who, uniquely for Labour councillors, voted against the Traveller housing plan, but against Bree for criticising the two.

The party is now likely to be faced with turmoil as the leadership and its general secretary, Mike Allen, prosecute Bree in the internal inquiry. Already Rabbitte has responded to a statement from Bree with a letter to the Irish Times claiming that Bree had used his position as Mayor to divert a Traveller accommodation site intended for his own ward into the ward of a colleague that already housed three sites.

When Bree replied by quoting the minutes of Sligo Council which proved the exact opposite, Goldhawk asked Rabbitte’s press office for chapter and verse of his allegation. Despite having aired the issue in the IT a week earlier, Rabbittee replied that“ As this matter relates to an issue that is the subject of an internal complaints procedure, we are not making any further comment.”

This week the complaints committee was due to hear Allen, the former left-leaning head of the INOU, devote his energy and talents to prosecuting Bree, one of the declining number of socialists left in he party, for defending Travellers against Labour councillors. Another irony is that the secretary of this star chamber is Cllr Dermot Lacey, the man who as Dublin Lord Mayor broke ranks with party councillors and Labour Party policy to support bin charges two years ago. Lacey, who craves a Dail nomination in Dublin South-East, survived this highly embarrassing episode without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Bree’s witness for his defence may not be pillars of the Dublin Labour establishment but many Labour members will be embarrassed to hear the evidence of Bernadette Comiskey, development worker with the Sligo Traveller Support Group. The STSG, as well as local clerics, Fr Tom Hever and Fr John Carroll, appealed to Labour locally and nationally to support the Traveller accommodation plan. Also travelling to Dublin in support of Bree is former Galway Mayor, Cllr Catherine Connolly.

The real agenda here is the disciplining and probable expulsion of Bree from the party for his leading role in the opposition to Rabbitte’s Fine Gael pact. The notion of Bree being the parry standard-bearer in the new Sligo-North-Leitrim constituency is unacceptable to Rabbitte; thus the kangaroo court and disciplinary procedures. And the person Rabbitte has in mind to represent Labour in the general election here? It’s Cllr Veronica Cawley who voted against the Traveller Accommodation programme and who was duly castigated publicly by Bree.

The downside of all this is that Bree is unlikely to go quietly. If he loses this round then will appeal to the National Executive Committee. If he loses at the NEC – he will, as it is stuffed with Rabbitte supporters – then Bree will go to the High Court.

If Rabbitte wanted to get rid of Bree he could have picked a more liberal issue but the pressure is on to select candidates in the constituencies. The Spring commission on candidate selection make an interesting comment on Sligo-North-Leitrim, saying: “Select 1, postpone, until suitable”, the only such rider out of 42 recommendations. Should that not read “postpone until Bree is expelled”?


*From todays issue of “The Phoenix” (September 23rd) Page 4

by haliber Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:00

what happened yesterday - any news?

by Patc Wed Sep 21, 2005 22:18

I heard that Declan Bree walked out in disgust! Seems it was a kangaroo court.

by Paul Wed Sep 21, 2005 16:17

Some of youse seem to want Declen Bree to be kicked out of the party, i would rather he wasn;t.

by Mark P Wed Sep 21, 2005 16:02

There's a fair chance of him being given the boot, but they might let him away with the equivalent of a verbal warning if they think they've managed to isolated enough not to cause any more bother.

by Kat Tue Sep 20, 2005 23:10

I wonder will LY be supporting their left -wing ally?

by Gerry Tue Sep 20, 2005 21:02

Left versus Right !


Bets are on Bree getting the boot - The Purge Begins

by Kremlin Watcher Tue Sep 20, 2005 20:31

Gardai in Dublin have confirmed that they are investigating a break in at The Labour Party Headquarters in Ely Place this afternoon.A safe was removed from Pat Rabbittes office and a large quantity of counterfeit notes were taken,believed to be part of a private collection.
Also taken was the Party leaders private briefcase containing over twenty five Fine Gael Membership application forms and the written verdict in the Declan Bree show trial due to take place tomorrow is also missing.Gardai suspect extreme left wing elements are behind the heist and an internal investigation is also under way by senior Party members as to how socialists were able to gain access to the building.