Papal flag won’t be flying over county hall for visit
By Mary Dennehy
THE papal flag will not fly over County Hall in Tallaght during the Pope’s visit to Ireland in August, after a motion fell in council chambers last week.
Renua Councillor Ronan McMahon tabled a motion at the July meeting of South Dublin County Council, which asked for the papal flag to fly over County Hall for the duration of Pope Francis’ visit.
County Hall motion for papal flag flying was voted down
Speaking with The Echo after the motion was defeated by 11 votes to nine, with some abstentions, Cllr McMahon expressed his disappointment.
“I was very disappointed that the motion fell,” he said.
“Pope Francis is not only the head of the Catholic Church but he is also a head of state [of the Vatican City].
“I believe flying the flag would represent people in South Dublin County who practice Catholicism and also mark the event and mark the Pope’s visit.”
Extremely disappointed
Cllr McMahon also spoke to The Echo about Pope Francis “representing the poor and most vulnerable” and the Pope’s planned visit to Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre for the homeless – which Cllr McMahon said is among the many church organisations that are helping homeless people in the city.
He added: “I thought that the motion might have gotten through and I was extremely disappointed [with the outcome].
“I think it shows a complete lack of tolerance on some people’s part.
“If there is going to be any reconciliation for the wrongs in the past, we have to start somewhere . . . and I hope the Pope makes a statement on this when he arrives.
“I think this Pope is trying to make amends.”
Clondalkin councillor Francis Timmons (Independent) was among the elected representatives who did not support the motion in council chambers.
I couldn’t support it
Cllr Timmons told The Echo: “I do respect people’s right to go to the service . . . and understand why Cllr McMahon would want the flag flying, but I couldn’t support it.
“I don’t think that as an inclusive county we should be flying the flag for a Church that has not fully apologised to the survivors of the Magdalene laundries, the mother and baby homes, the county homes and the industrial schools.
“And, for the way the Catholic Church treated the LGBT community.
“Personally, I would have found it a huge insult if the [papal] flag was flying over County Hall.”
