Cubbard ‘fishing for likes’ with FB rant about sulkies

Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

“I’ll get the usual backlash from a few but what do ye think,” pondered Mike Cubbard, the Independent Galway city councillor, after writing a Facebook post that stoked some antipathy towards Travellers.

Asking the online community for their thoughts on certain activities that are associated with Travellers produces the usual results: lazy, loose-talk from looneys.

A reaction. That’s what he wanted. Cubbard sought attention. And he got it. Through the lowest common denominator – preying on people’s prejudices.

Cubbard told his Facebook followers: “Just passed 4 horses with sulkies coming down the Ballybane Road. Each one with a minimum of 2 kids sitting on the side.”

He added: “This isn’t ‘culture’! This is a safety issue for all road users which is proven by a near accident as they turned for Ballybrit just now as well as an animal welfare issue.”

Fair enough, but why post on Facebook?

If it was a safety issue, and someone just nearly caused an accident, ring the Gardaí; if it was an animal welfare issue, ring the Gardaí, GSPCA and the Council.

Cubbard knew when he typed those words, he’d annoy people. And they’d like and share his post, and comment on it. Classic online trolling. There was no other reason for it.

And do you know how we know this? We know this because Mike Cubbard is the chairperson of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

He’s held this position since he abandoned some of the independent left-wing principles for which he was elected to the Council, and did a deal with the devil – Fine Gael, Labour and right-wing Independents whose policies he purported to be against until he joined them in a mayoral pact.

So, as chairperson of the JPC, Cubbard can actually do something about sulky racing.

He could debate it. He could write bye-laws and get support from colleagues to pass them. He could get clarity from Gardaí on existing laws in relation to sulkies. He could get advice from other JPCs in other parts of the country to see how they deal with it. Armed with that information, there are many constructive things he could do if he was that bothered by sulkies.

Rather than actually doing something, he chose to look like he was doing something . . . and netted a few Facebook likes while he was at it.

Ribbon-cutting

Proof positive that politicians would “officially open” anything for publicity and in order to make themselves feel important, came this week with news that Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Pete Roche, officiated at the opening of a car park in Cleggan. It was attended by two TDs, including one junior minister, and five County Councillors, including the Cathaoirleach.

Yes, a car park, folks. Opened. OFFICIALLY.