Council votes to refer three Sinn Féin councillors to watchdog over Garvaghy Road allegations
(L-R) Antrim and Newtownabbey Sinn Féin councillors Taylor McGrann, Maighréad Ní Chonghaile, and Eamonn McLaughlin.
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has voted to refer three Sinn Féin councillors to a standards watchdog over allegations relating to their presence near a protest at Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
The proposal passed by 20 votes to seven, with seven abstentions, at a full council meeting in Mossley Mill on Monday evening, 28 September.
DUP, Ulster Unionist and Independent councillors supported writing to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards. Six Sinn Féin councillors and SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch opposed the proposal, while seven Alliance members abstained.
The referral concerns councillors Taylor McGrann, Maighréad Ní Chonghaile and Eamonn McLaughlin. It seeks an investigation into whether the councillors’ Code of Conduct was breached; the council vote itself makes no finding of wrongdoing.
DUP raises concerns over alleged presence at protest
DUP group leader Alderman Matthew Magill, who represents Airport, initially proposed suspending standing orders to raise what he described as “a matter of grave concern”.
His proposal was seconded by Macedon Ulster Unionist councillor Robert Foster and carried with support from the DUP, Ulster Unionists and three Independent councillors. Sinn Féin members and Cllr Lynch opposed it, while Alliance abstained.
Ald Magill then raised what he described as “potential misconduct of several of our councillors over the weekend”, saying he did not want to enter into the “political context”.
He alleged that several borough councillors had been “within the vicinity of an unlawful and illegal protest”. The protest concerned an Orange Order parade that had been due to take place at Garvaghy Road on Sunday.
Request for standards investigation
Ald Magill named Cllr McGrann, who represents Macedon; Cllr Ní Chonghaile, who represents Airport; and Cllr McLaughlin, who represents Glengormley. He proposed writing to the commissioner to seek an investigation into whether any breaches of the Code of Conduct had occurred.
“I believe this deserves proper scrutiny and proper investigation in an effort to uphold standards we are all subject to,” he said.
Cllr Foster said:
“The rule of law applies to everyone in council in Northern Ireland. This council has a duty to hold ourselves in the highest regard.”
Sinn Féin challenges council referral
Glengormley Sinn Féin councillor Rosie Kinnear objected to the council making a complaint as a corporate body.
“I feel it is entirely inappropriate to ask this council to report another councillor to the ombudsman. It is highly inappropriate. We answer to the electorate. It is not for us to report each other as a corporate body. It is disappointing.
“It has been brought given tensions across the borough. The public can judge us and report us if they wish.”
Party colleague and fellow Glengormley councillor Michael Goodman said Ald Magill and Cllr Foster could bring a complaint themselves, without what he described as “political favour”.
Calls for complaints to be made individually
“It has nothing to do with what goes on in this chamber. There is absolutely no justification for this to be brought into this chamber in this way,” Cllr Goodman said.
He added that any member with a complaint should have the “courage of their convictions to make a complaint in their own name and not hide behind the council”.
Cllr Lynch, who represents Antrim, also expressed disappointment that the proposal had been brought before councillors at a time when tensions should not be heightened. She said the matter could have been approached differently through dialogue rather than publicly in the chamber.
Ald Magill responded:
“I believe this is a profound matter of importance to this chamber and public confidence in this chamber and this organisation. The chamber has the opportunity to take the matter forward or not take it forward.”
McGrann responds to allegations
Cllr McGrann told members: “I believe these are allegations.” He added that he had not been contacted by anybody.
“What the councillor is referring to is in regard to Garvaghy Road. For 28 years, that community has lived in relative peace. It is something that is history and should remain history.”
Following the debate, councillors approved writing to the commissioner to request an investigation.
Cllrs McLaughlin and Ní Chonghaile have been asked for comment.
