Chai Brady
Bro. Edmund Garvey A Louth councillor has criticised the decision of Louth County Council’s Drogheda district to remove the ‘freedom of Drogheda’ award given to Bro. Edmund Garvey, the former head of the Christian Brothers.
The vote was passed by five votes to four and comes after a campaign from survivors who were sexually abused by Christian Brothers. They state the legal strategy in dealing with abuse victims when Bro. Garvey was heading the congregation made it more difficult to advance civil cases.
Independent Cllr Kevin Callan said he did not support the proposal and the vote was a “breach of fair procedure and natural justice”.
Cllr Callan said he had been approached by many in Drogheda who felt that removing the award was “not warranted”. He said councillors had come under pressure to do so and it would “damage” Bro. Garvey.
The honour was awarded to Bro. Garvey in 1997.