Ciaran Brogan

Ciaran Brogan
Brogan in 2024
Councillor
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 2004
ConstituencyLetterkenny Electoral Area
Personal details
Born1971 or 1972[1]
Political partyFianna Fáil
Residence(s)Sockar, Trentagh, Letterkenny[1]
ProfessionBusinessman

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]

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. ^ a b c d 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 21 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Ciaran Brogan". Fianna Fáil. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 21 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 21 April 2013.
  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. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Donegal tax defaulters pay out £1.4 million". Donegal Democrat. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  9. ^ "'Tendering deficiencies' linked to Councillor Brogan's company". Highland Radio. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  10. ^ "McDaid may vote against Government". RTÉ News. 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  11. ^ a b 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 21 April 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Brogan: 'I will not stand in election race'". Donegal Daily. 12 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Cllr Ciaran Brogan threatens to make Council unworkable". Highland Radio. 27 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Claims of lying and bullying in Council chamber". Donegal News. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Councillors claim €35,000 of HSE expenses". Donegal Democrat. 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  16. ^ Nic Pháidín, Michelle (9 May 2007). "'Arrogant' HSE criticised over salary threat". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Council unanimously backs Dana". Donegal Democrat. 27 September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  18. ^ "County mayor charged with drink-driving offence". Irish Independent. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 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.