Fianna Fáil are once again the largest party in Laois, winning six out of 19 Council seats at last week’s Local Elections.
Among those elected is the long-serving Catherine Fitzgerald, who was re-elected to the Portlaoise Municipal District on the 14th count.
With the stress of the count behind her, Cllr Fitzgerald sat down with LaoisToday where she began by telling us about how she first got involved in the world of politics.
“It was my Grandmother who got me into politics in the first place,” she said.
“I joined Ógra Fianna Fáil when I was 16 and went for the town commission in 1994 and got in.
“Then in 1999 I went for the County Council and got in too. I was delighted with the vote I got.”
Quarter of a century later and Cllr Fitzgerald says she is still enjoying the job.
“It’s an honour to represent your local community,” she said.
“I love the job. I love helping people even if it doesn’t work out all the time.
“I love the town. I love the county. Anything that I can do in any way that’s positive and to help the community, I’ll be involved in it.”
The election was long, gruelling and arduous, taking it’s toll on all those brave enough to run a campaign, even those with decades of experience.
“I’m relieved it’s over the count is the most stressful part of it,” Cllr Fitzgerald said. “I’ll be going back to babysitting now shortly, I haven’t been babysitting for three months.
“My Grandmother was a huge influence in my life. She had a huge interest in politics and Fianna Fáil.
“She told us she collected on the streets for De Velera on the streets of New York in 1912 and that was the passion and interest that was handed down.”
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