*Conor Ryan (FG).
O’CALLAGHANS MILLS native Conor Ryan (FG) has been selected to take the seat of Joe Cooney TD (FG) on Clare County Council.
Thirty three year old Conor, a farmer from The Mills defeated Robbie Madden (FG) and Edmund Jennings (FG) in a vote that will see him co-opted to the local authority following Cooney’s election to Dáil Éireann. A special meeting of Clare County Council is expected to take place on Thursday to see both Conor and James Ryan (SF) officially ratified as county councillors.
At a selection convention held in Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla on Sunday evening, party members gathered to vote between the three nominated candidates. Fine Gael who ordinarily would criticise rival parties for a lack of transparency and secrecy would not disclose the official result.
The Clare Echo understands that the vote finished with Ryan on 49, Madden on 30 and Jennings on 13 with a very strong turnout amongst members.
Former bookmaker, Frances O’Mara withdrew her nomination in advance of the convention leaving just the trio in the field.
Tipperary based Senator Garret Ahearn chaired the convention which saw Deputy Cooney and Chair of the Fine Gael Clare branch Madeline Taylor Quinn (FG) also seated at the top table.
Addressing members following his success, Conor stated, “I’m truly humbled”. He said, “I’m anxious to do a good job, Joe Cooney is a hard man to replace but I’ll do my best, I’ll be available 24/7 at your beck and call”.
He singled out Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr John Crowe (FG) and Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) with the trio understood to have canvassed for the farmer over the past fortnight. Indeed this strong canvass where Conor contacted all Fine Gael members in East Clare on more than one occasion is believed to have been central to his success.
To be nominated was “a rare and special privilege,” he admitted. Ryan recalled growing up hearing stories of his grandparent’s “respect” for Fine Gael leaders in the past. He became active with Young Fine Gael when studying civil engineering in University College Galway and canvassed for Hildegarde Naughton (FG) in 2011. “Joe Cooney is the first Fine Gael TD elected in East Clare since Paddy Burke, eighty years is a long time to wait”.
Cooney’s General Election success “is testament to twenty years of hard work, the loss to the Killaloe Municipal District is the gain for all of Clare,” he added.
A passion for history emerged when studying at St Joseph’s in Tulla, Conor told the members, his Leaving Certificate history project was on Eoin O’Duffy.
Approaches by senior members of the party from O’Callaghans Mills prompted Conor to allow his name forward. “I believe I have a lot to offer you, I’m hard-working, sincere and honest”. He continued, “I have the energy and enthusiasm to do the utmost for the people of East Clare”.
When nominating Conor, Des Quinlivan described him as a “dynamic, capable and deeply rooted member of the community”. His qualification as a civil engineer showed his ability to demonstrate “analytical thinking and problem solving”. Des noted that Conor’s parents Michael Ryan and Phil St Ledger were “long-standing Fine Gael supporters”. His decision to buy a farm “demonstrates that Conor is not afraid of a challenge”. Des added, “he was approached by Joe Cooney two years ago who saw him as future leader, since the untimely passing of Michael Cooney has embraced the role as Chairman of the O’Callaghans Mills cumann, his efforts has solidified Fine Gael in the community. His candidacy represents the next generation of Fine Gael leadership”. Quinlivan predicted, “we have a candidate who will represent our community needs and bring a thoughtful and energetic voice to Clare County Council”.
Seconding the proposal, Geraldine Tuohy spoke of the party’s pride in Cooney’s success. She said she was struck by Conor’s ability to listen and understand issues while on the campaign trail. “Like our new Deputy, he is devoid of ego”. She continued, “a new energy was our party slogan for the General Election, Conor Ryan epitomises new energy. He is new energy but he and his family have been long-standing members, he will be party loyal”. She said, “Should he be selected, he will work very well with Cllr Burke, indeed if Conor is selected we will have one hell of a team in East Clare, indeed one that is worthy of senior hurling”. Geraldine suggested the use of “Converse with Conor” as the new tagline to follow on from ‘Talk to Joe’.
Putting yourself before the public is not easy, said Robbie Madden when addressing the convention. The Scariff native has been working in construction for the last twenty seven years, “I’ve been working beside or with Joe for last 27 years so clearly I’m able to work anyway”. Family is very important, Robbie stated while paying tribute to his wife Maureen and their four children, his mother and his late father.
Madden promised to retain Cooney’s seat in the 2029 local elections if selected. “This is about the man behind us, he made the seat his own, he was 1300 votes over the quota and was 200 off getting two seats, it is unbelievable, if I’m elected no one will work in that Chamber harder than me because I will never let that man down, he never let me or anyone in this room down, my promise is I’ll win seat back for Fine Gael”.
Chairman of the Scariff Fine Gael Cumann, Timothy Hogan when proposing Robbie described him as a “hard working, diligent, community man”. He noted how he represented Scariff’s senior hurlers and Scariff rugby club, “his passion for sport and volunteerism has continued on which has been evident by his contribution to the community in O’Callaghans Mills where he has lived for the last twelve years”.
Seconding his nomination, Conor Cooney, son of Joe referenced the impact Robbie has made since building a family home in the Mills. “He provides a broad range of experience,” Conor commented while pointing out his involvement in construction and farming, “He supports local initiatives and brings energy to everything he takes on, he has a connection with the young and old in the Killaloe Municipal District”.
Any candidate would find it difficult to replace Joe Cooney “in relation to amount he has accomplished, his availability and hard work is unquestionable, his ability to get things done is second to none”, remarked Edmund Jennings. He said, “I will do everything in my power to serve people of East Clare”. Support for farmers was singled out by the Tulla man along with providing infrastructure to allow villages to grow. After completing a science degree at the University of Galway, Edmund qualified to become a teacher but the Mayo native moved to Ennis thirty five years ago.
Tulla native Eugene Conlan when proposing Jennings’ nomination pointed out that he has founded companies, recruitment firm Cregg and home care company Care About You which “employ approximately 300 people”. He moved to Tulla in 2001 with his wife Aileen, “immediately he became involved in the community, it was around the time when the soccer club were developing the Cragg facility, he helped out and became a trustee”. Other roles included a six year stint as Chairman of Tulla GAA Club, Treasurer of East Clare Golf Club, a member of the Board of Management at St Mochulla’s NS in Tulla and volunteering with Samaritans. He has also Chaired the Clare Executive of Fine Gael and was Director of Elections for the party for a decade. “I have known him since he came to Tulla 23 years ago, he a very astute businessman but a caring and compassionate person from his work in community. He is a highly qualified person who will do a great job for us in East Clare,” Eugene stated.
Principal of St Mochulla’s NS, Brian Culloo said he could attest to Edmund’s “unwavering integrity, dedication and commitment to community service”. Brian recalled his time as Chairman of Tulla GAA club, “his tireless efforts and visionary leadership have had lasting impact”.
Deputy Cooney told the convention, “it is simply fantastic to see such a fantastic turnout, you could say it is our third election in Killaloe Muncipal District and we’re back in this wonderful building”. He added, “it is amazing that last April and May we were trying to get candidates to run, I think there is a new energy for Fine Gael, we had four in the field earlier in the week, three here tonight, it is simply fantastic”.
Cooney said he would be happy to work with whichever of the three candidates were successful, “hopefully the person will be able to go on and hold the seat”. He stated, “it is hard to believe I’m over twenty years serving the people of East Clare, I’ve enjoyed every day of it”.
