THE MAYOR of Wexford has reacted angrily to questions put to him about his nine day tourist-boosting trip to the US, by a local radio host.

Cllr. Jim Allen appeared on the Morning Mix Show last week with County Council chairperson, Cllr. Kathleen Codd Nolan and Sean Connick.

During a heated debate on the cost of the trip to America, during which host Alan Corcoran repeatedly put listener’s questions to Cllr. Allen about the cost of the trip, Cllr. Allen said: “The answer to the question is I don’t know; how many times do I have to tell you!”

“Don’t get hot with me because I am entitled to ask questions,” Mr. Corcoran replied.

Cllr. Allen took grave exception to being asked how much it cost him to bring his wife on the trip, telling Mr. Corcoran to “stay on track” with the issue, namely that he was promoting County Wexford, along with Cllr. Nolan and acting County Manager Adrian Doyle.

“This is what is wrong with this town and this county. There are a certain number of people who think we should cut a scissors around Wexford and float it out into the ocean!” Cllr. Allen stated. He said it was “totally ridiculous” for Mr. Corcoran to continue with his line of questioning, adding that when the figures are available they will be released.

He said other counties like Kerry and Galway were in America promoting their corners of Ireland, so it was vitally important that Wexford people were there doing likewise.

“It’s very hard not to go when the President of the Wexford Association in New York invites you to the parade.”

Mr. Corcoran said many Wexford people are “going through torment” due to government austerity and think their elected representative’s place is at the Wexford St. Patrick’s Day parade, and not spending public money abroad.

Cllr. Allen said he had to leave his business for nine days.

Speaking to The Echo afterwards, he said: “He crossed the line when he brought my wife into it and there will be repercussions, believe me. I don’t know how much the trip cost. Would he prefer if I told a lie and guessed. I have never received so many phone calls of support.”

He said he is now unsure if he will be travelling to the Wexford Association of London dinner to meet Wexford ex-pats arising from his appearance on the Morning Mix.

“I’m having second thoughts now,” he added.

Mr. Corcoran said: “I totally accept is wife has nothing to do with it. It was his own business. The listeners were asking about how much the trip cost.”

He said there was a phenomenal reaction to the debate from listeners.

For the full story see this week’s Echo newspapers.