Invercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody faces potential disciplinary action after being found to have called a council staff member a "f...ing d..k".
By Matthew Rosenburg for Local Democracy Reporting
On February 3, Dermody attended a Rugby Park stakeholders' event where an independent lawyer determined he said “you f…ing d..k” or “you’re a d…head” to a council staffer.
But Dermody disagreed with that version of events, explaining he said “that’s ridiculous” in an aggressive tone to someone at a nearby table.
The matter was escalated by councillor Ian Pottinger who lodged a code of conduct complaint with chief executive Michael Day on February 18.
“I did not attend the Rugby Park meeting personally but was made aware of Cr Dermody’s ‘d...head’ comment during a conversation with Cr Ria Bond the following morning,” Pottinger wrote.
Anderson Lloyd lawyer Michael Garbett then investigated the matter and determined Dermody had breached the code, recommending he undertake governance training.
Garbett’s report said the context of Dermody’s comment was that a presentation about Rugby Park from a council officer had visibly irked him, according to witnesses.
All councillors were invited to the stakeholders meeting at the venue’s lounge, which was also attended by council staff and external consultants.
In evidence from the council staff member, he said he had not heard Dermody’s comment, but was approached by councillor Alex Crackett afterwards, saying Dermody “had called you a f…ing d..k”.
The staffer also had a conversation with councillors Darren Ludlow and Ria Bond where the latter mentioned Dermody had said something.
Asked if it was “you f…ing d..k”, Bond confirmed it was, the staffer said.
Bond’s evidence included that Dermody had said “bulls..t” during the staffer’s presentation, and later said “you’re a d…head” to the person.
Following the presentation, Bond said she joined a conversation between Ludlow and the affected party where he said: “Apparently I have a new name. According to Cr Dermody my new name is d...head”.
Ludlow was confident he had heard an “f-bomb” but was not certain if it was “f…wit” or “f…ing d..k”, evidence showed.
Dermody maintained he did not say "d...head" or "f...ng d..k". He also disputed Bond's account that he had said "bulls..t", "ridiculous" and "you're a d...head", directed at the staff member.
During the presentation, a point had been raised about the Southland Stags moving to Frankton if Rugby Park did not receive investment, Dermody said.
When someone who was not known to the deputy mayor indicated Franklin was still in Southland, Dermody said he responded “that’s ridiculous” in an aggressive tone, but not loudly.
Dermody had since apologised to the staff member for his behaviour, which had been accepted.
Garbett’s investigation found the deputy mayor had breached the council’s code of conduct by not meeting an expectation of treating staff with courtesy and respect, and avoiding publicly criticism of an employee.
Despite it being a scheduled holiday for the council, a special meeting will be held on Tuesday to decide whether the complaint was a material breach.
Options available include sending a letter of censure to Dermody, requesting an apology, passing a motion of no-confidence, removing privileges, restricting entry to council offices, limiting dealings with council staff apart from the chief executive, suspending or removing committee membership, inviting Dermody to consider resigning, or undertaking no further action.
Dermody is a second term councillor who has previously played provincial rugby for Southland.
Tuesday's meeting is scheduled for 11.30am and will be open to the public.
SHARE ME