Leak probe after ‘threatening’ email sent to Cork city councillors

Cork City Council will investigate the leaking of a report on a 155-home development in Lehenaghmore, after a “threatening” email was sent to councillors, warning of prosecution if it was approved.

The plans, part social housing and part affordable housing, were approved by 27 votes to one, with only Independent Albert Deasy voting against, as other councillors said the provision of housing was too important to oppose it.

The email, sent ahead of Monday’s full council meeting, said Lehenaghmore was “over-developed in terms of housing but neglected in terms of infrastructure”. It cast doubt on the accuracy of a report submitted, assessing facilities in the area, and expressed concern that roads would not be able to cope with the new development.

The report listed schools which the email said were oversubscribed, as well as childcare centres, which the email said were not all public and do not offer services for young children or outside of term time.

It also claimed that many of the recreational facilities nearby noted in the report are gated and members-only, that two of the listed nearby pubs were no longer trading, including one which had been “closed for years”, and that a wholesale bakery was listed as a restaurant.

“Given the information provided, and short duration for review, I can only conclude that Cork City Council expect councillors to pass a democratic vote based on misinformation. I am further concerned that public funds have been spent on this audit and the potential for criminality,” it said.

The sender requested councillors adjourn the vote and request a new review of the area, saying otherwise they will refer the information to the Standards in Public Office Commission, the Public Accounts Committee and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Assistant chief executive Brian Geaney said the email had been “sent in a very threatening way to councillors”, and “someone in this chamber” had given the report out before the meeting.

LEAK INVESTIGATION

“That the Part 8 report was leaked to a member of the public is a very serious breach of the council’s protocol… that’s something we need to investigate thoroughly,” Mr Geaney said.

A council spokesperson told The Echo after the meeting: “The city council is disappointed that confidential documentation sent to councillors in relation to a Part 8 housing development was released to a member of the public.

“The council is satisfied however with the Part 8 process that was followed and the overwhelming vote in favour of the proposal outlines the strong support from councillors for the project to proceed.”

Sinn Féin’s Joe Lynch, a councillor for the area, told The Echo he would not describe the email as threatening: “I believe it was borne out of the frustration experienced by residents over many years, and much of that frustration is valid.

“What I am interested in, and what I focused on in my contribution on Monday night, was the issue of housing and the need for housing, as well as meaningfully addressing the infrastructure issues that exist in Lehenaghmore; not on abstract arguments in an email that carry no weight. I certainly don’t need any report to understand the lack of facilities in Lehenaghmore.”

He added that a long-awaited road improvement scheme for the area is underway, and that he would continue to urge the council to deliver a promised shop, creche and medical facility for the area.