Derry councillors back motion calling on SDLP to clarify fresh allegations surrounding Brian Tierney

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Governance and Strategic Policy committee have unanimously backed a proposal regarding further allegations against former SDLP councillor Brian Tierney.

Cllr Tierney resigned from the SDLP following his provision of a character reference for convicted rapist Kielan Mooney; he currently sits on Council as an independent councillor.

Speaking at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, Cllr Sandra Duffy (Sinn Féin) said she had been contacted by women in the Council area regarding a recent newspaper article which claimed Cllr Tierney had “provided support to a man charged with seven counts of rape”.

Cllr Duffy said: “[The] article accused this councillor of re-traumatising a survivor with his performance at our January Council meeting. This, we all need to agree, is shameful.

“I would say, coming out of that article, there are a few questions that we as a society need to ask and particularly a few questions the SDLP need to answer.”

Cllr Duffy’s motion, which was seconded by Cllr Emma McGinley (Sinn Féin) read: “We will write to the SDLP asking the following questions, addressing this letter to party leader Clare Hanna, regarding the article in The Belfast Telegraph from Alison Morris, on March 3, relating to Cllr Tierney.

“Firstly, when did they first know about this allegation? Who in the SDLP knew about it? What did they do at the time? Did they investigate? Was there action taken?

“And, why, having known, did they allow Cllr Tierney to embark on a round of media and this council, portraying himself as a victim, someone that had been duped, knowing that he had been accused of this before?”

Supporting the motion, Cllr Catherine McDaid (SDLP) said she stood in “solidarity with every single victim and survivor of any form of abuse”.

“In regards to what the party is doing or anything else, I am happy for the party to speak up and say what has been happening. I haven’t been involved in any investigation or anything like that because that would happen at a higher level - at senior leadership. I will leave it up to our party to decide how we will approach the proposal but I would imagine we will be supporting it,” added Cllr McDaid.

Cllr Gary Donnelly (Independent) said answers needed to be supplied on the matter.

Cllr Rory Farrell (SDLP) said his understanding of the issue was that Cllr Tierney liked a post on Facebook of a person he knew who died.

“I have not seen any reference to any reference to be honest but I am happy to support the recommendation and hopefully we will get a fuller response from the party,” he added.

Also supporting Cllr Duffy’s motion, Alderman Derek Hussey said he was surprised no-one had suggested referring the matter to the [Standards in Public Office] Commission.