Labour Party member of Dungarvan Town Council Fiachra Ó Céilleachair has cited family and professional commitments as the principal factors in his decision not to contest next summer’s local elections.
Neither will he be seeking a third term on Údarás na Gaeltachta for his native Ring/ Old Parish upon expiry of his current tenure. Having previously informed Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Waterford constituency TD Brian O’ Shea of his position, Cllr Ó Céilleachair recently confirmed his choice to party colleagues locally.
The former Dungarvan Mayor, who now lives in Waterford City with his wife Siobhán, and the couple’s children Ruán and Sadhbh, works as a Press and Information Officer in the South East with the Health Service Executive (HSE), a role which has grown in significance in recent years, he says.
Speaking at the recent monthly meeting of Dungarvan Town Council, Cllr Ó Céilleachair recalled the changes he had observed during his political career: “Ten years ago, I was knocking on doors in Dungarvan campaigning for a playground in the town and for the door to door collection of recycleables. There was no take up in officialdom for either case at the time. A decade later, the taking of recycleables directly from households in Co. Waterford is recognised as best practice and the local authority are about to develop a second playground in Dungarvan – such are some positives to reflect on.
At an individual level, I am deeply privileged to have been the first local to have been chosen by the people of Ring and Old Parish to represent them on Údarás na Gaeltachta. To be such a resounding choice of theirs five years later to continue in that position was very heartening. It has always been an honour to serve on any authority I’ve been elected to, including my term as Mayor of Dungarvan.”
