Fianna Fáil’s Joe Murphy will not stand for election next year
Cllr Joe Murphy has announced that he will not be seeking re-election. Pic. Mary Regan
A Fianna Fail councillor for the Boyle Electoral Area has announced that he will not be seeking re-election next year.
Strokestown’s Cllr Joe Murphy said that it was regret that he would not be contesting the forthcoming local elections.
“Sadly my wife Nicola has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone's Disease, which is a progressive neurological condition which is acutely disabling and terminal. Our priority now as a family is to take care of each other and support our two sons through this difficult time while raising awareness of this terrible disease,” said Cllr Murphy.
“It has been an honour and my privilege to represent the Boyle Electoral Area as a county councillor and indeed the county of Roscommon during my time as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council.”
Cllr Murphy went on to say that he had worked with wonderful people;
“Firstly; my council colleagues, whose cooperation and support transcended party lines due to our shared vision to bring about positive change in the county we all live and love.
"Secondly, but most importantly, I’d like to thank the Local Authority Executive and staff who are both the hands and heart of everything that takes place in County Roscommon, it has been a pleasure to work with you all over the past eight years.”
Cllr Murphy also thanked the Fianna Fáil delegates for entrusting him with “this important role, giving me the opportunity in 2016 to represent you and supporting me in my successful re-election bid in 2019."
"To all who canvassed for me, my director of elections Claire Hoare, and to all that voted for me, thank you. To my brother Senator Eugene Murphy whose 40 year’s political experience, advice and guidance has been invaluable, thank you. I would also like to thank the Fianna Fáil party for its assistance during this period. I look forward to supporting the new and invigorated local party structure going forward,” he said.
The Strokestown postman said that it had been “wonderful to work with the local authority during a period of immense change, to see Roscommon Tourism develop to a new level and the increased level of investment for regeneration of our towns and villages.
"These are two areas that I feel particularly passionate about and have worked diligently in. It is my fervent hope that investment will be secured and rolled out throughout the coming months in towns such as Strokestown. I believe this will breathe new life into our communities, and I will continue to work progressively on this until my term ends."
He remarked that during his term as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council from 2021-2022, “I had the privilege to meet many people, from local community groups to international dignitaries all of whom held and shared the same purpose, to improve and develop solutions for the issues their local communities faced and to positively add to the lives of the people they served. It is my hope that I too have made a contribution to society in this way and I was proud to oversee the passing of the County Development Plan during my time as Cathaoirleach.
“I have found that success in political life is very much down to the support system you have in place and I’ve been so lucky to have the most gracious support of my family...Nicola, Conor and Oisín. Thank you for your unyielding love support and guidance in helping me fulfil my ambitions.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who contests the forthcoming election the best of luck,” concluded Cllr Murphy.
