Long serving councillor stepping down from politics with “a heavy heart”

Long serving Sinn Féin councillor Michael Mulligan has announced that he is retiring from public life with “a heavy heart” due to health issues.

Cllr Mulligan was first elected in 2004 and has represented the Boyle LEA for the last twenty years.

Speaking to the Roscommon Herald, Councillor Mulligan said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce my intention not to run in the local elections.

"I have been suffering with my health but I had hoped I would be well enough to run, but I have had to accept the reality that I am not and I have to put my health first.

"I am extremely proud to have represented the people of the Boyle LEA and in particular my hometown of Ballaghaderreen for the last twenty years. I am indebted to all those down through the years who've put their faith in me. It has been the greatest honour to serve the people of this area.

"I am also proud that in stepping down, I do so leaving our area with Claire Kerrane as their TD. I will continue to work with her and support her and that will never change. Claire has been my Director of Elections in the last two elections and would have been in this one too. The people of Ballaghaderreen and this area could not have anyone better in their corner.

“I want to thank all of the local party members who have stuck by me and the party here locally. They have assisted me in every election and I am grateful to them all.

"I am grateful to those working in Roscommon County Council, some who have come and gone, who have assisted me down through the years.

"Lastly, I am most thankful to my family who have been by my side throughout my time in local politics. Their unwavering support has saw me through the last twenty years. I look forward to having more time with them in the months ahead.

"We will have a Sinn Féin candidate running in the election whom I will be putting my full support behind in the coming days.

Speaking alongside Michael, local TD Claire Kerrane said:

"Today is a sad day. Michael has been the greatest influence on me in politics, he is the reason I joined Sinn Féin in my teens. He has been a wonderful elected representative for the people and he will be a huge loss although I know he'll remain with us locally every step of the way going forward.

“He has been a real credit to the people of Ballaghaderreen and this electoral area. I know they are proud of him as I am."