Ciaran Brogan

Ciaran Brogan (born 1971 or 1972)[1] is an Irish businessman and Fianna Fáil politician from County Donegal. He is a member of Donegal County Council, representing the Letterkenny Electoral Area, and was a member of Letterkenny Town Council.[2][3] He topped the poll in elections in 2004 and 2009.[4][5]

Ciaran Brogan
Councillor
Assumed office
June 2004
ConstituencyLetterkenny Electoral Area
Personal details
Born1971 or 1972[1]
Political partyFianna Fáil
ResidenceSockar, Trentagh, Letterkenny[1]
ProfessionBusinessman

Brogan owns SARK Construction Ltd, based in Letterkenny. Several members of Donegal County Council, including Barry O'Neill, have queried how €4.812 million was spent on SARK's council-backed housing development in Dungloe.[6] The company is known to have received contracts worth more than €10 million.[7] SARK Construction is also a recognised tax defaulter.[8] However, Brogan has vowed to "carefully monitor" any comments made in the council chamber concerning himself or Sark Construction.[9]

He is a known long-term supporter of former government minister Jim McDaid, and walked out in support of McDaid when McDaid withdrew his support for Fianna Fáil in acrimonious circumstances in November 2009.[10] This incident played a significant role in the McDaid faction being left without a candidate ahead of the 2011 general election, and led to the rise of Charlie McConalogue whom Fianna Fáil selected as its candidate instead.[11] Brogan is considered by many to be a successor to McDaid.[11][12] He declined to run as an independent following this snub by party headquarters.[12] In June 2012, he threatened to make Donegal County Council "unworkable."[13] In November 2012, he clashed with Mayor of Donegal Frank McBrearty, Jnr in the chamber.[14]

In 2006, Brogan claimed €3,499 in expenses for his role on the HSE's Regional West Forum, while in 2007 this increased to €4,041.[15] He has been Mayor of Letterkenny in the past.[16] He was also instrumental in the motion that led to Donegal County Council supporting Dana Rosemary Scallon's candidacy for President of Ireland in 2011.[17]

Less than a week after becoming Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council in 2016, Brogan was charged with a drink-driving offence for which he was later convicted and disqualified from driving for three years.[18][19] The officer at the scene found a "strong smell" of alcohol from within his vehicle and Brogan verbally abused him, telling him "Who the f*** do you think you are?"[1]

References
  1. Flanagan, Pat (2 December 2016). "Drunk Donegal politician told Garda 'Who the f*** do you think you are?' when found sleeping in car: Ciaran Brogan had only been Mayor of Donegal a week". Mirror. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. "Letterkenny Electoral Area". Donegal County Council. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  3. "Ciaran Brogan". Fianna Fáil. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  4. "Ciaran Brogan". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  5. "A close race and a long night for candidates". Donegal Democrat. 8 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  6. Ashmore, Chris (11 October 2011). "Questions raised about €4.81m Dungloe housing contract". Donegal Now. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  7. Harkin, Greg (20 August 2011). "FF councillor's firm given €10m". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  8. "Donegal tax defaulters pay out £1.4 million". Donegal Democrat. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  9. "'Tendering deficiencies' linked to Councillor Brogan's company". Highland Radio. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  10. "McDaid may vote against Government". RTÉ News. 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  11. McGee, Declan; O'Donnell, Ciaran (24 November 2010). "McDaid faction could be left without candidate". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  12. "Brogan: 'I will not stand in election race'". Donegal Daily. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  13. "Cllr Ciaran Brogan threatens to make Council unworkable". Highland Radio. 27 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  14. "Claims of lying and bullying in Council chamber". Donegal News. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  15. "Councillors claim €35,000 of HSE expenses". Donegal Democrat. 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  16. Nic Pháidín, Michelle (9 May 2007). "'Arrogant' HSE criticised over salary threat". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  17. "Council unanimously backs Dana". Donegal Democrat. 27 September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  18. "County mayor charged with drink-driving offence". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  19. "Donegal County Councillor Ciaran Brogan convicted of drink driving". Highland Radio. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
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