THERE is growing anger at the massive golden handshake given to Derry City Council chief executive Sharon O’Connor.
A native of Belfast, Ms O’Connor is a chartered director with nearly 30 years experience in the public and private sector.
Ms O’Connor, who only took up the post in November 2011, said her departure was due to “entirely personal reasons.”
She announced she was leaving earlier this year. The council has agreed to pay her £275,000.
Ms O’Connor joined Derry council on an annual salary starting at £107,500 plus expenses.
The council had approved a £10,000 salary increase for whoever would replace former chief executive Valerie Watts – despite staff suffering a two-year pay freeze. Ms O’Connor was quickly forced to defend being granted a £500-a-day mentor, stressing it was a vital part of her “bedding-in” process.
Ms O’Connor also requested that thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money be paid towards her rent, in lieu of removal expenses she may have incurred coming from Co Down to live in Derry.
Her pay-off – revealed at the weekend – has sparked a bitter tirade of abuse online.
The pay off is 17 times the average annual working wage in Derry.
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