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The seven county councillors in the Nenagh-Newport electoral area have this week been accused of "bluster" and "bluff"
by the Puckane Development Association.
The association was reacting to a front page report in last week's issue of this newspaper which revealed that the seven councillors
have threatened legal action against Nenagh Sinn Fein councillor Seamus Morris.
Their action was taken after Councillor Morris had referred a case about county councillors to the Ethics Register of the
local authority over their controversial decision to rezone 105 acres of land in Puckane for development.
In its statement issued to The Guardian this week, the Puckane Development Association said: "One can only wish that the
Nenagh/Newport councillors could save some of the misdirected zeal displayed against Councillor Morris and instead use their
time and energy serving the public that elected them and rectify the still unexplained rezonings in Puckane."
The statement continued: "It is obvious through this latest attempt to intimidate and "bury the issues involved" that the
councillors are more concerned with their own perceptions of themselves and political positions of power than they are in
addressing the concerns and common good of the community of Puckane.
"Their threat of legal action is more reminiscent of the Bully, Bluster and Bluff routine of a schoolyard corner boy than
that of dutiful public servants and the arrogance shown in this latest chapter, though regretful, is unfortunately not surprising.
"Unfortunately the councillors cannot justify their actions in rezoning so much land and now refuse to make amends to the
people and community they have wronged."
The statement added: "Considering the stubborn refusal of the councillors involved to adequately explain their motives,
which favoured private interests and ignored the vocal protestations of the greater community, Councillor Morris only did
his public duty in asking the ethics registrar to look at the conduct of councillors involved in the rezoning.
"This latest attempt to intimidate his efforts of resolution is another classic example of playing the man and not the ball."
The association said Puckane was still waiting for an answer from the councillors "as to why they did not serve the public
interest".
The statement said the association would welcome the opportunity to amicably resolve "this councillor created impasse"…
"but regretfully experience has taught us not to hold our breath."
The association said the track record of councillors involved in bad planning matters in North Tipperary was displayed
by the many unresolved issues in Ballina and Newport and "the inability of the same councillors to offer anything but lip
service to the communities involved is unfortunate for the people affected".
The statement added: "Puckane will not be intimidated nor will we stand idly by…The buck must stop somewhere in North
Tipperary."
Contacted and asked to respond to the association's statement Fianna Fail Councillor Tom Harrington dismissed the claims made
by the Association. He said all actions by county councillors in relation to rezoning in Puckane were "above board."
"We followed due process," said Councillor Harrington.
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