Former Mayor of Kilkenny criticises 'treatment' of incumbent mayor

A former Mayor of Kilkenny has hit out at what he says is the poor treatment of the Office of Mayor in recent years, highlighting an event this month where he felt protocol was not up to standard.

Fianna Fail councillor Joe Malone (pictured) has previously criticised the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and has again raised concern about the mayor’s role. He said he had attended the opening of the Famine Experience at MacDonagh Junction, which he praised, and commended centre manager Marion Acreman for the initiative.

However, he said the office of the mayor was not treated correctly at the event.

“There was a front row, and I saw journalists sitting down there,” he said.

“Anybody with a chain — bar the mayor — was centre stage. You should have been up there with the cathaoirleach.”

Cllr Malone said he had been ‘shoved into one side and I can live with that’, but that the treatment of the mayor had ‘shocked and horrified’ him.

“I hope the management at the top table listen to me,” said Cllr Malone.

“I would like to see the mayor’s office being treated with a bit more respect.”

It's not the first time that the Kilkenny City West councillor has vented his frustrations at the changes brought about by the Local Government Reform Act 2014. He has previously expressed fears over the future of the mayoralty.