Fine Gael councillor Noel O’Donovan is to resign his seat on Cork County Council to join An Garda Síochána in the New Year.
FINE Gael councillor Noel O’Donovan is to resign his seat on Cork County Council to join An Garda Síochána in the New Year.
Speaking to The Southern Star this week, Cllr O’Donovan confirmed that he has accepted an offer to join the gardaí.
‘I wish to very sincerely thank my family, friends and many supporters who have shown me such tremendous loyalty during my last six years in political life. It was deeply humbling and a tremendous honour to serve the people of West Cork as a public representative and I remain extremely grateful to so many people for their support and guidance during these years,’ said Cllr O’Donovan.
The Rossmore native was first elected to Cork County Council at the young age of 22 in 2011, following a Fine Gael party co-option to replace Jim Daly TD who was elected to Dáil Eireann.
Deputy Jim Daly said he wished to thank Noel for his exemplary service and dedication to the people of West Cork and the Fine Gael party during his time in Cork County Council.
‘Noel was an incredibly able, efficient and articulate representative of the people who enjoyed an unique relationship with official who held him in high regard,’ said Deputy Daly.
‘While Noel will be an enormous loss to the political system in West Cork and to me personally, I wish him every success in his new career and congratulate him on his accession to An Garda Síochána as he swaps one ‘blue shirt’ for another!’
A convention is expected to take place early in 2017 when members of the Fine Gael party in Cork South West will vote to elect a successor to Cllr O’Donovan on the County Council.
