This article is from page 15 of the 2013-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
“OH GOD!” Those were the words quietly whispered by Cllr Christy O’Malley (FF) as he was welcomed back to Kilrush Town Council on Tuesday night, as he listened to words of praise from his fellow councillors.
The former mayor of the town was nominated by his Fianna Fáil colleagues – Cllr Tom Prendevillle and Cllr Liam O’Looney – to fill the “Casual vacancy” arising from the death of Stephen O’Gorman in December.
“What do I say about Christy that has not been said or written,” said Cllr Prendeville, to which a bashful Cllr O’Malley was heard to whisper “Oh God”.
“He will light up this council because he is a very articulate and very intelligent man,” added the man charged with the nomination.
He paid tribute to the soon to be appointed councillor’s common sense, and his singing ability.
Cllr O’Looney described Cllr O’Malley as a welcome addition to the council. “He will defuse many a situation,” he said.
Members of the council that had not previously worked with Christy welcomed his “wealth of experience”, while old comrades spoke of a “very constructive and honest man”.
“It is lovely to see you here again. It was very sad for this council to see Stephen go, but it is fitting that you replace him,” added Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG).
Officially accepting the nomination under the Local Government Act, town clerk John Corry said that Mr O’Malley had been nominated by the Fianna Fáil party, and that the soon to be councillor had written to the clerk accepting that nomination.
“It is the only nomination I have received, so I am happy to receive it.”
As has become expected from the bi-lingual former Garda sergeant, Cllr O’Malley accepted the nomination in both Irish and English.
“All those glowing remarks. Were ye really talking about me?” he said.
He said he was honoured to take the seat vacated following the death of Cllr O’Gorman and paid special tribute the late councillor’s wife Geraldine and family, whom he described as dignified and caring at a time of great pain. “I hope to work in a cohesive, positive unit,” he said.