Fianna Fail Councillor Takes Canvassed Constituent to Court re FF "lies"

[C. Flower]

A Kilkenny Councillor, John Coonan, a retired psychiatric nurse, took a constituent to Court following a row on a canvass. Martin Ryan was convicted of "threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour" which took place when he was being canvassed by Cllr Coonan.

John Coonan said he was seriously stressed by what happened and that he'd felt threatened and accused of neglect.

In his evidence, Martin Ryan said that he'd told John Coonan he had a few issues he wanted to put to him. He asked him what he was going to do about Mental Health Services, as his brother had died.

"He also admitted that he had used the word"lies"" but they were about FF generally and not the candidate.

(reported in the advertiser.ie)

[Rich]

A Kilkenny Councillor, John Coonan, a retired psychiatric nurse, took a constituent to Court following a row on a canvass. Martin Ryan was convicted of "threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour" which took place when he was being canvassed by Cllr Coonan.

John Coonan said he was seriously stressed by what happened and that he'd felt threatened and accused of neglect.

In his evidence, Martin Ryan said that he'd told John Coonan he had a few issues he wanted to put to him. He asked him what he was going to do about Mental Health Services, as his brother had died.

"He also admitted that he had used the word"lies"" but they were about FF generally and not the candidate.

(reported in the advertiser.ie)

There may be more to this, but if there is not then OMG!!!! Politicians are getting soft.

[electionlit]

[Digger Out]

Imagine if every FF office holder was brought to court over lies. Croke Park would have to be the venue to hold em all ?

[C. Flower]

I don't dismiss the fact that Cllr. Coonan might have had a nasty shock. The words "heat" and "kitchen" come to my mind though.

On the basis of the report I read, it would seem that any person being canvassed in their home would be at risk of action if they expressed even a small proportion of their feelings.

If there is more to the case than reported, perhaps someone will turn up here and fill us in on it.

[Kid Ryder]

That councillor has just made a right tit of himself. So we peasants are not even allowed to barrack our 'betthers' now? He'll be as popular as leprosy in many parts of that town, especially as the relations of the man he's suing are going to keep this incident alive for years to come. There's probably even a nickname to be fashioned for him out of this.

[Sam Lord]

My question is what total ass of a judge convicted Martin Ryan?

[Kid Ryder]

My question is what total ass of a judge convicted Martin Ryan?

A political appointee who knows what's expected of him.

[C. Flower]

This gets worse. Not only was Martin Ryan convicted, but it seems that his little dog ("a little dog jumping up and down") was his accomplice in crime...

http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/Lo...der.6271804.jp

“I had commenced canvassing for the local elections and was at the door of number 10 in Dukes Meadows, which is close to where I live when I heard, ‘Hey John, John Coonan, liar, lies, liar’. I turned around and saw Martin Ryan with his dog and he was walking up and down the footpath. I thought he would stop but it started again and the dog who was on a leash was jumping up and down.


“He said, ‘What about your patients who died in our care? What about Paul?’. I said that I didn’t want to speak to him and I got into my car and drove down to the end of the road and locked myself into the car and called the gardai. I told them that I was being harassed and intimidated. After some time I composed myself and got out of the car and recommenced my canvass at the other end. I heard a voice say, ‘Lies, lies, Fianna Fail, Fianna Feck’.

Solicitor Tom Walsh put it to Mr Coonan that his client had engaged in a ‘political discussion’ about pay cuts to the public service, mental health services, the old age pension and a locally-operated casino. Mr Coonan told the court that the incident ‘had nothing to do with politics’ adding that he was ‘well-used to debate’. “He sought my views on a casino that had opened in the area. My son was involved but he is no longer involved and I gave a hand with teas and coffees but that was all,” added Mr Coonan.


“He had a small dog on a leash and he angrily spoke to me and the dog was jumping up and down. I was seriously intimidated. He was speaking to me in an aggressive manner,” Mr Coonan told the court

[Sam Lord]

“He had a small dog on a leash and he angrily spoke to me and the dog was jumping up and down. I was seriously intimidated."

Have you ever read such total and utter ***** ... the little dog on the lead was jumping up and down.... omg.

It is truly a sad day for Ireland when you can be dragged before the courts and convicted for telling a FF politician that they are liars.

That Judge should be turfed right out. There should be a picket put on his house ....

And as the FF creep ... we should import the Greek anarchist dog to deal with him.

[Sam Lord]

Is this the same William Harnett or a different Amadan ...

http://www.rate-your-solicitor.com/i...tails&id=11317

[Kid Ryder]

**** this, I'm emigrating to North Korea, where there must surely be a less partisan judiciary. Judge Harnett makes some of Mary Devins' pro-Shell decisions look positively Solomonic.

[Sam Lord]

He thinks AIDs is caused by cannabis ...

http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/9068/

[Sam Lord]

A week in jail for contempt of court for being in the hallway when your case is called ..

http://www.munster-express.ie/local-...terford-court/

[Sam Lord]

Sexist, too ...

Believes that, "women cannot be constrained from yakking... "

http://www.carlowpeople.ie/premium/n...-stopped-yakki