Two long-serving councillors won’t contest next local elections

TWO of Offaly County Council's most experienced county councillors have announced that they are retiring from politics.

The Tullamore-based Fine Gael man Cllr Tommy McKeigue and Fianna Fail's Cllr Noel Bourke from Edenderry have both announced that they will not be contesting next May's local elections.

Cllr McKeigue was he was first elected to Tullamore Town Council in 1985, before winning a seat on the county council in 1991.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, Cllr McKeigue said that while he has hugely enjoyed his time representing the people of Tullamore, “it's time to pass the baton”.

“Times have changed. I did my stint and I believe it's time for new people who will come with new ideas and fresher thinking. I think that change is good at this point in time.”

Cllr McKeigue says that the role of the councillor has changed significantly since he first entered local politics.

While a councillor's work load has increased significantly, the amount of power they have has diminished, a development which he believes is far from positive.

“Housing has nearly all gone now to social housing groups, who are doing the majority of building, that wasn't for the better, while sewerage and water has also been taken out of councils' control with the establishment of Irish Water.”

Paying tribute to staff of Offaly County Council and the many councillors that he has worked with over the years, Cllr McKeigue said that while there may have been differences of opinion, everyone was motivated by the same cause, doing the best they can for the people of Offaly.

The Edenderry Municipal District is also losing its most experienced member. Cllr Noel Bourke, who was first elected to the council in 1991, says that he made the decision to step down before the next local elections a number of years ago. He announced his decision this week.

“I thought it was time to step aside and allow other younger female/male members of my party, Fianna Fail, to bring fresh thinking to the council. I believe change is needed from time to time in any organisation.

He said: "I enjoyed my time on the council and will continue to work for my constituents to the best of my ability until the present council comes to an end."

Although he said he derived great satisfaction from assisting and advising people, particularly those in greatest need, he said he often felt very frustrated at how slow the various Government Departments are t react.

“I am very grateful to all of the people who assisted me politically over the years and those who voted for me in the various elections and to my wife and wider family who were always a source of good advice and support.”