‘We have big contracts in America’

Monaghan MD condemns burning of US flag during protest

“Dáil Deputies from left-wing political parties” came in for condemnation from Cllr Seamus Treanor at Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District when the Independent alleged that they were responsible for the organisation of a protest in Dublin on September 12 last at which the American flag was burned.

Cllr Treanor initially proposed that the MD write to American Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh apologising for the “disgusting behaviour” of protesters at the march, timed to coincide with the visit of US President Donal Trump to Ireland and which was widely reported as attracting an attendance in the region of 10,000 people.

However, after a discussion in which MD Cathaoirleach Alan Johnston (FG) queried whether the motion came within the scope of standing orders as it related to an event with which the local authority had no role, Cllr Treanor agreed to amend the proposal to one of condemnation of the burning of the US flag. The amendment passed by three votes to nil on a show of hands vote, supported by Cllr Treanor, the Cathaoirleach and Cllr Pauric Clerkin (FG); SF councillors Seán Conlon and Niamh McCooey abstaining. Cllr Raymond Aughey (FF) and Cllr Bronagh McAree (SF) were absent from the meeting.

“This march was organised by left wing parties to protest about the democratically elected leader of the United States visiting our country,” Cllr Treanor declared when raising the matter at the meeting’s conclusion.

He claimed that the event was accorded “massive publicity” by mainstream media during the preceding week, with RTÉ, “who will receive €750 million of taxpayers’ money over the next three years” acting as “the main PR” for the protestors, which he found offensive.

Cllr Treanor condemned the lack of an apology by the protest organisers for the flag burning incident and said the organisers had not been challenged about this by some media outlets.

“Look what America has done for our country,” he stated, claiming that a main driver of the Irish economy is “300,000 well-paid jobs and over €30 billion in corporation tax” generated by the USA. “It is time the left-wing parties wake up and see who is bringing jobs to our country,” he said.

Cllr Treanor added that Irish President Catherine Connolly should have apologised for the burning of the US flag, and he decried “disgraceful comments” made by President Connolly’s sister Dr Margaret Connolly “advocating for the destruction of the White House”.

The Cathaoirleach said he wasn’t questioning the motion itself but wonders if it is within the MD terms of reference as this event happened outside their area and was apologising for the actions of others.

Cllr Treanor pointed to motions passed by County Monaghan local authorities at the time of 9/11. “We all have kith and kin in America,” he stated.

Cllr Clerkin seconded the motion, stating he was doing so on the basis of its condemnation of the burning of the US flag. “I am very proud to say I am pro-Palestine but I want to support you over the issue of the flag burning,” he stated. “There are other matters, which I cannot support.”

Cllr Conlon, who pointed out that he is an American citizen, said what is more concerning is American tourists being violently assaulted in Dublin. “Where do you stop and start with the apologies?” he asked, stating that he loved the country “but not the way it is being governed at present”.

Cllr Conlon said the subject of the motion seems to be beyond the MD’s remit, and this incident is not of the same significance and magnitude as 9/11.

Cllr Treanor said burning the US flag could incite some people to think that American citizens coming to Ireland for holidays are “fair game”.

Cllr Conlon said colleagues of his from Sinn Fein were at this parade and he rejected any implication that they were associated with the flag burning.

“The peace process would never have happened only for Bill Clinton in America,” Cllr Treanor insisted.

When the amended form of the motion was then put forward, Cllr Conlon remarked, “Next month it could be the Ukrainian flag or the Iranian flag.”

“We have no connections with those countries,” Cllr Treanor retorted, “but we have big contracts with America... Britian is crying out for our American jobs and American companies. It annoys me an awful lot to see an American flag being burned in the capital city of our country.”

After the vote on the amended motion was taken, the Cathaoirleach declared it passed subject to it being found to be in conformity with MD standing orders.