Farren seeks apology over '˜unfair' remarks

Speaking at Tuesday’s Inishowen Municipal District meeting, Councillor Farren said he had become aware through media reports that the meeting’s chairperson alleged the councillor “blocked” access to a lorry driver attempting to make his way to the site and was seeking “airtime” on the issue.

Colr. Farren said he would not allow his name to be “blackened” or “dragged through the mud” and was “very surprised and disappointed” at the comments. He said he would be asking the meeting chairperson and the committee he represents for an immediate “full apology and retraction” of the remarks. Colr. Farren described the comments at the public meeting as “unfair,” particularly as he wasn’t in attendance to “defend” himself.

Councillor Farren said he always acts “professionally” for the good of those he represents and was in attendance with a County Council roads engineer on the day the lorry was making an attempt to turn at Bonner’s Corner. Colr Farren said his “main concern” was that there would be damage to footpaths or the Moville trees and denied ‘blocking’ the lorry driver. He also denied seeking “airtime,” stating he has never appeared on any radio show to discuss the turbines. Councillor Farren praised the Council’s roads department for their “good manner” in dealing with the issue and who, he said, were “trying their best to accommodate the developer.” Colr. Farren also said that, although people were “entitled to protest,” he was not personally involved in a recent protest about the turbines. Colr Jack Murray supported Mr Farren and said he took issue with those opposed to the turbines being described at the recent meeting as ‘blow ins.’ He said he had attended the protest and it was “family-friendly”.