This article is from page 17 of the 2013-01-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A NEW face is expected in the council chamber in Kilrush next month with the inclusion of a new town councillor. The Kilrush citizen will take the seat, which has remained vacant since the passing of former mayor of the town, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman (FF).
At last Thursday’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council, Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said the Fianna Fáil party would begin the selection process shortly and the new member should be in situ for the next meeting of the council.
“Fianna Fáil will liaise with the family at first and then with the town clerk. The new councillor hopes to be in place at the February meeting,” he said.
Cllr O’Gorman died at home on December 14 following an illness. His passing left a vacant seat on the nine-person town council.
It is now the responsibility of the late councillor’s political party – Fi- anna Fáil – to co-opt someone to fill this seat. It is understood that the party will seek nominations for the position shortly, after consultation with the late councillor’s family.
The local Cumann will be tasked with selecting the candidate for the role, and the Cómhairle Dáil and Fianna Fáil will then ratify that choice. A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil in Kilrush said only, “The position will be filled in due course.”
Whoever is seconded to Cllr O’Gorman’s seat will likely serve one of the shortest ever terms on the 128-year-old council, as it is due to be dissolved during the summer of 2014.
Cllr O’Gorman served the council for more than 18 years, and was first elected in 1994. During his career, he served as mayor on two occasions.
Although he had been ill for a few months, his passing was considered sudden locally and was a shock to his loving family, friends, fellow councillors and constituents.
His colleagues described him as a “political colossus”.