A date has been set for the hearing of a court case brought against Mayo County Councillor Mr John Flanery, who allegedly compared Travellers to "pedigree dogs" during a meeting of the Western Health Board last May.
Mr Flannery (60) from Lavey, Charlestown, was summonsed after he allegedly commented: "Travellers expect everything to be done for them and do nothing themselves.
"They are able-bodied men who should be made go out and do FAS courses like everybody else, but instead are lying out in the sun like pedigree dogs." The prosecution contends that such words, while being abusive and insulting, are likely to stir up hatred contrary to Section 2 of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.
Mr Flannery was not present at Galway District Court yesterday where Insp P.J. Durkin said there were indications the case would be contested. He expected the hearing to take at least a day.
Judge John Garavan fixed March 1st for the hearing.