CLARE people must be at the forefront of all decisions made in Clare County Council, according to the newest co-opted councillor.
Councillor Tom O’Callaghan, who formally became a council member at a meeting this week, has identified housing, health, issues affecting trade and business as well as the rising cost of living as the key challenges that need to be tackled over the coming years.
The chairman of the Independent Postmasters’ Group identified Clare’s tourism amenities, sport, Shannon International Airport, heritage, music and agriculture as some of the key positive aspects in the county.
“Details in the new draft County Development Plan 2023 to 2028 and at municipal district level set out lofty objectives. I believe we have an important role in achieving those goals, working and weaving the plans of local communities and groups in with the overall strategic plans to secure the best outcome for Clare.”
Mr O’Callaghan said he was extremely privileged to be co-opted onto the local authority.
“Today is a proud day for me, my wife, Evelyn, son, Darragh, sister, Carmel and my parents, late sister, Yvonne and extended family.
“I wish to acknowledge Mark Nestor who vacated his seat to pursue his vocation to the priesthood. I wish him every happiness and I have no doubt he keeps his beloved Ennis and Clare in his prayers.
“I would not be here only for the Fianna Fáil members and colleagues who encouraged me along the way. I look forward to the challenge this role will bring and I will work to find the best solutions for the people of Ennis and Clare.”
He said every councillor has something unique to bring to the chamber and hoped his business experience and time working with people would bring another dimension to this forum.
Stressing he is a team player, he said everyone would have to work together for the benefit of the county.
He said a number of individuals and groups have already contacted him with their issues and pledged to work to ensure their trust in him is well placed.
Councillor Gerry Flynn said Mr O’Callaghan is the fifth co-option since 2019 and noted he has never experienced so many co-options during his time in the chamber.
Proposing the Clarecastle-based postmaster, Councillor Pat Daly said Tom O’Callaghan has been very active in the Fianna Fáil party in his role as chairman of the Ennis Comhairle Ceanntair, which covers Ennis town and its hinterland.
Councillor Daly said Tom is a very successful businessman and is very active in the campaign to safeguard the future of rural post offices.
“Married to Marie Arthur, who hails from a very strong FF family in Newmarket-on-Fergus, they have one son, Darragh. By proposing Tom today, I could be putting my own political career in serious doubt, but I am happy to do so.”
Tributes were also paid by several councillors to his predecessor Councillor Mark Nestor, who vacated his seat to study for the priesthood.
Councillor Pat Daly described Mr Nestor as an “outstanding hard working councillor for people in Ennis Municipal District over the last three years.
Congratulations to Tom O'Callaghan who was elected as a councillor at this evenings convention pic.twitter.com/INhQxnMPrE
— Hotel Woodstock (@hotelwoodstock_) November 27, 2022
Seconding Tom’s co-option onto the 2022 Local Authority of the Year, Ennis Municipal District, the Social Development Strategic Policy Committee and the Active Ennis Sports and Leisure
Committee, Councillor Claire Colleran-Molloy recalled he told her not to give up hope as there were a “lot of messy votes” to be counted when she was lying in ninth position on a ballot with 22 candidates for eight seats in the 2014 Local Elections.
After the second day of counting, Councillor Colleran-Molloy took the eighth seat after a steady flow of transfers with three votes to spare initially that was increased to five after a recount.
She stressed the support of Tom’s family will be very important once he embarks on his new role.
Councillor P J Kelly recalled Tom’s parents, John and Evelyn O’Callaghan, were born in Lissycasey, while he was born in a neighbouring parish in Kildysart.
“He is a man of vision. He has set out in print and followed up in actions what his aims are, not alone in local government but at national level. He is possibly the best known councillor by other councillors around the country because of his constant emails to them. Every member of the Cabinet, Senior and Junior know him. The same is true for members of the opposition.
“I know he will make a major contribution to the council not alone on local issues, but putting a focus on national issues. Roll on post office bank,” he said.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.