Bullying, intimidation, skulduggery, destruction. Those were just a few of the words used by Fine Gael councillor Karen Coakley, the other night, as she dramatically announced to the AGM of Fine Gael in Cork South West that she would be leaving the party, and becoming an independent. For the sake of transparency, her full speech is posted at the very bottom of this article.
It is an extraordinary list of accusations.
Cllr. Coakley alleges that when she was recruited to stand as the Fine Gael candidate in the last election, in 2020, that the party did not want her to win. In fact, she says, she was only recruited to be a “sweeper” for the then sitting TD, Tim Lombard. As it happens, Deputy Lombard was defeated, losing the seat to the Social Democrat, Holly Cairns.
She alleges that a petition of some kind was organised against her during that campaign, and that there were repeated efforts to “undermine and bully” her, and those who offered to help with her campaign:
The people that organised the petition, slandered and told untruths about me should be ashamed of themselves, they made every effort to undermine me to the public eye.
In fact, they went out of their way to cause as much trouble and chaos as possible and intimidated people who had been willing to canvass. As a result of the skulduggery, canvassers were very few. It should be noted the few loyal members that weren’t intimidated went above and beyond in assisting with the canvass.
The Councillor goes on to say that Fine Gael is “out of touch with the electorate” and “not interested in change”. She also says that there is a culture of bullying in Fine Gael, and that the leadership knows this, and is uninterested in changing it. As previously mentioned, you can read the full thing, in all its fury, below.
There are fascinating parallels here, for those who pay attention to this kind of thing, between this speech, and the one made by former TD Kate O’Connell last year, as she announced her withdrawal from consideration for the nomination to stand in the Dublin Bay South by-election.
Back then, if you recall, O’Connell had some extraordinary allegations to make: You might remember that she alleged that Fine Gael members had sent her a sod of turf, and planned to erect a signpost to the M50 outside her pharmacy:
Ms O’Connell said that there were some in the constituency – which comprises much of Dublin 4 and Dublin 6 – who presented her as a rural blow-in.
She said somebody had brought a sod of turf to a local event and that there was also a plan to put a sign outside her family pharmacy stating “This way to the M50”, signalling to her she should go home to her native Co Westmeath.
“[The message was] you are not from here. You are from the country. We don’t like the cut of your jib… You are undesirable and unsuitable and possibly not good enough.”
In fact, if you read the two statements, they might almost have been written by the same person.
In both cases, the two women claim that “local elements” in the party took against them and engaged in a concerted bullying campaign to derail their careers. In both cases, they allege that this was ignored, even sanctioned, by Fine Gael headquarters. And in both cases, the grievances have been aired in an extraordinarily public way, and briefed to the newspapers.
Finally, it should be said, in both cases, local sources deny in the strongest terms the truth of the allegations, and while there has been no time for an investigation to be concluded in this latest case, none of Ms O’Connell’s accusations were ever substantiated.
In any case, the allegations here are very serious, and it behooves Fine Gael to investigate them thoroughly. A party that has two such high profile, and similar outbursts, in a year, has some kind of a problem that needs to be fixed.
Here’s Cllr. Coakley’s full speech. She didn’t hold back.
Good evening everyone,
It is hard to believe the last time I spoke here was September 17th 2019 and my goodness what a tsunami it has been since then.
As a newly elected Councillor, I was so humbled, honored and proud that you had put your trust in me. I thought the vote of confidence had enabled us to face potential and forthcoming challenges together, alas, I was wrong.
My word is my bond, I promised I would buy a house in Skibbereen if I was elected and true to my word, I did as I said.
Sadly, the vindictive carry on that ensued when I was asked to run in GE20, may have been addressed but with futile consequences.
I was asked to be Senator Tim Lombard’s running mate, the timing could not have been worse for me but I am a team player and geographically it was the right thing to do as my transfers would help to elect Tim.
The time was not right for me as I got the keys for my house the day I was asked to run, December 18th 2019.
I was not naive enough to think that I would be elected and heading for the Dail, it was about vote transfers and keeping a seat in CSW, not about me.
The people that organised the petition, slandered and told untruths about me should be ashamed of themselves, they made every effort to undermine me to the public eye.
In fact, they went out of their way to cause as much trouble and chaos as possible and intimidated people who had been willing to canvass. As a result of the skulduggery, canvassers were very few. It should be noted the few loyal members that weren’t intimidated went above and beyond in assisting with the canvass.
I am appalled that members who created these problems have not been reprimanded to date and were allowed renew their membership without question. These people are responsible for the loss of a Dail Representative in Cork South West. We lost out on a TD due to renegade members and you know who you are.
No company, club or party would entertain such carry on. Members who break or repel against club or party rules should be asked to leave.
However, FG membership seems unique, there is no accountability and no questions asked, judging by the lack of action this behavior seems acceptable and tolerable.
Having been assured by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Paschal Donohoe that this situation would be dealt with, I understand that Covid-19 took precedence and put my dilemma on the back burner.
The negativity in CSW created by a few is spreading like a virus and has damaged the party beyond repair. All complaints are brushed under the carpet and left un-attended to resulting in a negative effect on the party with the loyal grass roots being ignored.
There are many loyal FG members who are beyond disgusted by the treatment which I received. It should also be noted that the opposition party, both FF members and representatives have contacted me to say how appalled they were by the treatment which I endured and the lack of support from the party.
If I were working in an industry and such behavior went on including bullying, character assassination and slander, the culprits would be before the courts and there would be huge repercussions.
Why does FG enlist such members when this is not for the greater good of the party?
Such un-certainty amongst our members must be eliminated if the party is to move forward positively.
The treatment that former Cllr Katie Murphy endured was sinful and beyond comprehension, this beautiful young lady was bullied and intimidated from the start, to the point that her spirit and passion were broken and for the sake of her wellbeing, she was left with no other option but to resign as a Councillor.
Katie endeavored to assist me in my canvass, however her loyalty to me was short-lived as she was intimidated to the point that she was left with no alternative but to abstain from partaking in the remainder of the campaign.
Those of you that engaged in bullying and intimidation, I hope that you are happy with the destruction that you have caused. I would like to know what did I or my family do to you that you engaged in such malicious behavior?
I believe that everyone is answerable and I appeal to you to revisit your actions, own up and be accountable for the suffering and stress that you have caused both Katie and myself.
I will continue to represent this constituency to the best of my ability.
It is said:
You learn more from failure than from success.
Don’t let it stop you.
Failure builds character.
It certainly hasn’t stopped me and has made me stronger.
Proof of my allegiance to the electorate are the diverse representations I have received across the constituency.
The treatment I endured during GE20 will not define me, It will not stop me
As I continue as a Councillor, I am not scared to cut off jealous, hateful, disrespectful and disloyal People.
I am better off without them.
To quote Eleanor Roosevelt
Great minds discuss ideas, Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people
I think this is a most appropriate quote for some of our members.
Always remember
Rumors are carried by haters, Spread by Fools and accepted by idiots
Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about me.
If people had better things going on in their lives they wouldn’t have to sit around and talk about others.
What is paramount to me is not others opinions of me but my opinion of myself.
I have always been a proud member of FG, however considering the events of GE20 and the lack of support I received, I am beyond disillusioned with FG.
I believe that they are not listening to people.
The party is out of touch with the electorate and not interested in change.
For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.
I am committed to politics and my future in West Cork but I can no longer commit to Fine Gael.
I have decided I no longer want my good name associated with a party that tolerates bullying and doesn’t listen to voters.
Therefore I have decided to continue my term as an Independent Councillor with immediate effect.
I would like to thank those of you that have shown me respect and loyalty during my time as a FG Councillor.