Former Louth County Manager Conn Murray came under fire at the weekend for appointing the best man at his wedding to a €98,000-a-year post in Limerick without the position being advertised publicly.
Mr Murray, who has previously been accused of cronyism for appointing former EU President Pat Cox’s assistant Patricia Ryan to the position of CEO of the Limerick City of Culture 2014 body, left Louth last year to take up the role of Limerick City Manager.
Now he has come under fire for appointing his best man Dr Pat Daly, to a senior managerial role in the council.
Following the appointment of Ms Ryan, Labour councillor Tom Shortt called on him to step down and similar requests are likely to be made after The Irish Independent revealed on Saturday that Dr Daly – best man at Mr Murray’s wedding in November 2000 – was given a senior post in Limerick City Council last summer.
The appointment came after the Shannon Development authority, where he worked was wound down.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, a spokesman for Limerick City Council has insisted Mr Murray’s friendship with Dr Daly played no part in his appointment.
“Dr Pat Daly did act as best man for Mr Murray on the occasion of his wedding 13 years ago,” a spokesman said.
His appointment by Mr Murray in Limerick City and County Council followed an internal process, the spokesman added. Mr Murray then made the appointment on the recommendation of an independent interview board.
“His association with Dr Daly could not in any way justify doing otherwise,” the spokesman added.
The spokesman insisted the appointment process followed the established redeployment procedures provided for in the Public Service Agreement.
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