Limerick Mayor Blamed for Chaos as Councillors Clash Over Budget

UPDATE: Tensions erupted at a Limerick City and County Council meeting last week as councillors clashed, leading to chaotic scenes that have drawn sharp criticism from within the council itself. Councillor Stephen Keary has publicly stated that the tumultuous behavior displayed by some elected representatives, including members of his own Fine Gael party, is unacceptable and should not be attributed to Mayor John Moran.

During a meeting on November 11, 2023, which was supposed to address a looming €8 million budget deficit, Keary expressed his embarrassment over the conduct of his fellow councillors. With the Budget 2026 meeting approaching, delays and interruptions have prevented meaningful discussions on necessary spending cuts or potential service charge increases.

In a direct condemnation of his peers, Keary stated, “They’re acting like children at the moment. There’s been deferrals, deferrals, deferrals, and interruptions.” He emphasized that until councillors “put their toys back into the cot and act like adults,” productive council work will remain hindered. Keary, visibly frustrated, left the chamber during the last meeting due to the disruptive behavior.

Cllr Adam Teskey, another Fine Gael member, corroborated Keary’s sentiments by acknowledging that there had been disagreements with Mayor Moran. However, he defended their decision to support Council Director General Dr. Pat Daly and council staff, stating, “We gave it three hours to thrash it out and I stand over what I said, but not to carry it into a third day.”

Keary adamantly insisted that the chaos experienced in County Hall last week “was not the fault of the Mayor.” He added, “I was ashamed of some of our councillors—within our own party. The childishness was unreal, unheard of.” The atmosphere in the council has shifted focus from urgent budget discussions to personal conflicts, raising concerns about the council’s ability to effectively address the financial challenges ahead.

The public’s reaction to this internal strife is likely to be significant, as residents of Limerick express growing frustration over delays in addressing the budget deficit that could impact local services. The council’s inability to unite on pressing issues may result in prolonged financial uncertainty for the community.

As the council prepares for the Budget 2026 meeting, all eyes are on how they will resolve these internal conflicts and tackle the budget crisis head-on. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated; with the deadline approaching, immediate action is critical for Limerick’s future.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.