Limerick Chief Councillor Condemns Treatment by Mayor
Limerick chief councillor, príomh chomhairleoir, Catherine Slattery has spoken out about her experiences of being “disrespected, demeaned, and intimidated” following comments made by Limerick mayor John Moran during a recent council meeting. The incident has sparked a significant debate within the local political landscape.
During a council meeting on Monday, Ms Slattery demanded an apology from Mr Moran for a comment that was allegedly made but not clearly captured on microphone. It is reported that the comment in question referred to Ms Slattery’s attendance record at implementation committee meetings. The Fianna Fáil councillor mentioned that she had sent a formal complaint under the Dignity at Work protocol in October 2025, which was a seven-page document.
In a video shared on social media after the meeting, Ms Slattery emphasized the importance of standing up against disrespectful behavior in the workplace. She stated, “Nobody, whether you are a man or a woman in a workplace needs to accept being intimidated, disrespected, or demeaned in your place of work.” She added, “I, for one, would not be sitting back and allowing that to happen to me. I would speak out at every opportunity, I guess, because what message would I be sending out to women or young girls out there to accept this type of behaviour?”
Ms Slattery also highlighted her commitment to continuing her role as long as she is elected, stating that she will keep speaking out on community issues in Limerick. She expressed her determination to tolerate any form of disrespect or intimidation in the workplace.
Family Targeted on Social Media
The situation has escalated further as Ms Slattery claimed her family was being targeted on social media, although she did not specify who was responsible for the alleged comments. She said, “What kind of signal are you putting out there into the public domain where you feel it’s okay to target an individual family, doesn’t matter what kind of job you’re in. Shame on you.”
On Tuesday, Mr Moran held a meeting for this year’s mayoral fund, during which he was repeatedly questioned about the matter. He chose not to comment and instead focused on discussing “good news for Limerick.” When asked about the formal complaint through the Dignity at Work protocol, he claimed he was “not aware of” it yet.
Mr Moran expressed disappointment that the focus shifted away from positive developments in Limerick. He said, “It’s sad that when we try and announce good news like this for Limerick that the story becomes something else.” He acknowledged the various perspectives on what occurred during the previous night’s meeting.
Role and Background
Ms Slattery’s position as príomh chomhairleoir was established under the 2024 legislation for a directly elected mayor. This role makes her one of the chief councillors. The ongoing tension between Ms Slattery and Mr Moran comes amid previous accusations from Mr Moran, who described some councillors as being “hostile” towards him in a blogpost published on his website.
Mr Moran’s decision to bring a private meeting into the public eye was criticized by arts minister Patrick O’Donovan as “reflecting badly” on Limerick, while others, such as junior minister Niall Collins, welcomed the move.
When contacted for comment by the Irish Examiner, Catherine Slattery responded with, “Sorry, I’m not available.” John Moran was also approached for further comment.
A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council stated, “Limerick City and County Council does not comment on matters related to the code of conduct.” This statement highlights the sensitivity of the issue and the need for careful handling of such allegations.
