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A residents' accountability group has launched a district-wide petition and open letter targeting the leadership of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, calling on elected councillors to act on what it describes as repeated governance failures costing ratepayers millions of pounds.
Council Watch, backed by a coalition of community organisations and concerned citizens from across the district has released a statement demanding a vote of no confidence in Chief Executive Marie Ward and Director of Economy, Regeneration and Tourism Conor Mallon. The group is also calling for an independent investigation into governance failures and urgent reforms to improve transparency and financial oversight.
The Petition states
- Pass a vote of no confidence in the council leadership
- Establish an independent investigation into council governance failures, with the final report being made available to the public
- Implement urgent transparency measures to prevent future abuse of confidential procedures
'Costly Project Failures'
The campaign points to a number of high-profile issues it says illustrate what it calls "a clear and repeated pattern of costly project failures, poor financial management, and disregard for public accountability."
Among the key issues raised is the Mourne Gateway Project, a proposed visitor attraction that was initially planned for Thomas's quary in Newcastle before being redirected toward Kilbroney Forest Park. Council Watch says the project has been marked by a failure to secure landowner agreement before public announcements were made, a lack of meaningful public consultation, and at least £1.35 million of public money spent on proposals that ultimately went nowhere. The group also warns the situation could put £30 million of Belfast Region City Deal funding at risk.
The response to flooding in Newry and Downpatrick in November 2023 is also under scrutiny, with the group alleging inadequate preparation, delayed emergency response, and a failure to distribute financial support to affected residents and businesses in a timely way.
Closer to Newry city centre, the Civic Hub project also features prominently in the campaign's concerns, with Council Watch stating "Campaigners cite ongoing cost overruns, submission of incorrect planning applications by the council as planning authority, use of confidential legal advice to limit scrutiny, and over 2,600 letters of public objection that they say were disregarded."
Long-standing environmental concerns at Warrenpoint Port are also mentioned, with residents claiming issues around environmental nuisance and enforcement of regulations remain unresolved.
Accountability
A spokesperson for Council Watch said: "This is not about party politics. It is about accountability. Repeated governance failures have cost ratepayers millions and eroded public trust. The time for excuses has passed. Councillors must now decide whether they stand with residents or with a failing administration."
The open letter has been endorsed by a range of community organisations including Carlingford Lough Keepers, Downpatrick Community Collective, Ecojustice Ireland, Friends of the Meadow and Kilbroney Forest Park, Mourne Gateway Info Group, Newry 2020, No Boats No Votes, Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment, and Rotten to the Point, alongside Council Watch: Newry, Mourne and Down itself.
Council Watch says the response of elected representatives "will determine whether public trust in local government can be restored."
Concerned ratepayers can find out more and join Council Watch on Facebook at facebook.com/councilwatch.public and the petition can be signed at my.actnowni.org
Update 5pm 25/2/26: In Reply Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have claimed there are inaccuracies in the above. See Council Claim Inaccuracies in 'Council Watch' Statement
