There were warm welcomes this morning as Laois’s newest County Councillor was officially co-opted.
Fine Gael’s PJ Kelly replaces Tom Mulhall as the sixth Councillor in the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.
Mulhall was successfully elected in 2009, 2014 and 2019 but stepped down from his role in January having suffered a stroke last summer.
A contest was held in Fine Gael earlier this month to fill the vacant seat and Mr Kelly, from the Ballybrittas-Emo-Vicarstown branch, defeated 2019 Local Election candidate Vivienne Phelan from Stradbally to secure the seat.
Kelly, who lives in Courtwood with his wife Mai and young family, is a long-time supporter of Tom Mulhall and was Director of Elections for his three campaigns.
A farmer, he has been a member of Fine Gael for the best part of 30 years and has canvassed for a number of TDs in the area including Charlie Flanagan, Martin Heydon, Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy and Olwyn Enright.
At this morning’s monthly meeting of Laois County Council, PJ’s appointment was proposed by Cllr Aisling Moran and seconded by Thomasina Connell.
Cllr Moran said: “PJ will make an excellent Councillor and I am delighted to propose him today.
“He has big boots to fill in Tom Mulhall but he is enthusiastic and honest and I have no doubt he will represent his area very well.”
Cllr Connell said: “As a neighbour of mine, I know PJ all of my life and I am delighted to see him elected here today.
“Tom will be sorely missed and I wish him continued good health.”
Cllr Padraig Fleming said he was looking forward to working with the incoming Councillor while Cllr Paschal McEvoy said: “I know PJ from his work as a GAA official.
“If he puts the same effort into this role as he does in his GAA capacity, he will do just fine.”
Cathaoirleach Catherine Fitzgerald, John King, Conor Bergin, John Joe Fennelly, Noel Tuohy, Ben Brennan, Willie Aird, Ollie Clooney and Mary Sweeney also welcomed the new Councillor Kelly.
While Chief Executive John Mullholland ensured him that all Council services would be at his disposal.
Cllr Kelly said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their very kind comments, they are very much appreciated.
“I’m stepping into Tom’s shoes and even though he’s a size 8 and I’m a size 10, I’ll never fill them.
“There is plenty of work to do in our area and I’m looking forward to making my mark over the three years that I have here.”
Mr Kelly was subsequently elected to the committees of Climate Action, Joint Policing, Placenames, Local Traveller Accommodation, Rural Water Monitoring, Portarlington Enterprise Centre, Laois Partnership Company and Irish Public Bodies.
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