Councillor’s future questioned during Ombudsman event

Councillor’s future questioned during Ombudsman event

28 October 2015

THE political future of independent councillor Patrick Clarke has been called into question by a fellow councillor.

Councillor Clarke has made a series of court appearances in recent months culminating last week in him being placed on probation for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman in a Newcastle hotel.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the woman after he grabbed her behind during a drunken incident in the Slieve Donard just before Christmas last year. A two year restraining order was also put in place and councillor Clarke has been ordered to undergo alcohol counselling.

Councillor Clarke was also convicted recently of committing fraud against Drumaroad Community Association a number of years ago.

At a meeting of Newry Mourne and Down Council on Monday evening, the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, Tom Frawley, was giving a presentation on the Code of Conduct for Councillors, when councillor Billy Walker raised the issue.

He said: “Has the Ombudsman got the teeth to deal with councillors effectively who have abused their position within a council?

“Some people I know aren’t going to like this. We have had one elected member here who over the last number of weeks has been convicted of serious crimes.”

Councillor Walker was interrupted by council vice-chair Gillian Fitzpatrick, who advised Mr Walker to be careful about what he was saying.

Mr Walker responded: “This is a fact. We have a councillor who has been convicted of a crime. He is, as far as I am concerned, bringing this council into disrepute.”

Councillor Walker also questioned whether a councillor, if suspended, would receive his full allowances.

Mr Frawley said that was not the case.

He said he detected councillor Walker’s “frustration” but pointed out that in such situations “courts need to take their course” before they can deal with any complaint.

“Everyone is entitled to fair treatment under the court system,” he said.

In his presentation, the Ombudsman reminded councillors of a range of guidelines for their behaviour, such as always treating members of the public politely and with respect.

Councillors were reminded that “private behaviour can affect your reputation and the reputation of your council”.

Since June 2014 the Ombudsman has received 29 complaints about councillors from across Northern Ireland. The highest figure of five is from the Newry, Mourne and Down area.

Mr Frawley pointed out that the figures fluctuated regularly and that none of the complaints had yet been upheld.

Some councillors expressed concern that not enough was known about the complaints system and the Ombudsman’s office indicated that it was keen for its work to be better known.

To date, Newry, Mourne and Down Council has declined to make a statement on councillor Clarke’s future and said only that it is seeking information from the Northern Ireland Court Service and “will act in accordance with any legislative requirements”.

Councillor Patrick Clarke was not at the meeting on Monday evening.