There were heated exchanges at the first meeting of the new term of Roscommon County Council when the county's new mayor refused to say the traditional prayer. The county's new mayor Councillor Luke “Ming” Flanagan claimed that he had no problem with the near century-old tradition of saying a prayer before council meetings but he himself did not want to personally say it.
However, his decision prompted heated exchanges at the council meeting before the order of business had begun, with local councillor Tom Crosby claiming that the century old tradition of a prayer been said by the county's first citizen before council meetings should be respected.
Speaking at the meeting, Mayor Flanagan, who is a confirmed agnostic, claimed he “does not believe in God” and “it would be hypocritical” of him to stand before council members and utter words which he does not believe in.
After a long exchange of views, the meeting was adjourned until it was agreed that the county’s deputy Mayor Cllr Ernie Keenan would say a short prayer before the council business would proceed.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Flanagan made it clear that he has no problem with the tradition of a prayer before council meetings but does not believe that he should be dishonest in his words and his actions.
SIC: CIN