Mallow-based teacher to be co-opted to Cork County Council 

A MALLOW-BASED teacher is to be Cork County Council’s newest councillor after being selected to succeed retiring veteran Labour elected member James Kennedy at a recent party convention in the north Cork town.

Eoghan Kenny, 23, was born and raised in Mallow and lives in the town. He has served as a parliamentary assistant to the outgoing Labour Party TD for Cork East, Seán Sherlock.

Looking forward to being co-opted 

Following his selection this week, Mr Kenny a business and religion teacher at Coachford College, expressed his delight and said he was looking forward to being co-opted to succeed Cllr Kennedy at Monday’s meeting of the local authority.

“I have always had a dream of being a public representative; to represent the very people I grew up with and those living in my community, it was always something I wanted to do,” said Mr Kenny.

“Making change happen. To have this opportunity now, is something I am very privileged to have.

“Having worked alongside Sean Sherlock in many capacities over the last number of years, I appreciate the work, dedication, and commitment needed to be a public representative, and having Sean’s experience and expertise by my side, is invaluable.”

Key priorities

Mr Kenny identified the ongoing traffic congestion in Mallow as one of his key priorities as soon as he’s officially confirmed in his new role.

“In particular, a solution to the ongoing traffic congestion crisis, the amount of dereliction on our main street and trying to get shovels in the ground for the Mallow relief road,” he said, describing his key issues.

“As a young 23-year-old, I feel I have the drive, energy, and enthusiasm to deliver solutions to these problems and many more.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Mallow and its environs over the next number of months and getting down to work, on behalf of the people.”

Mr Kenny will be co-opted as the replacement for Cllr Kennedy in the Kanturk/Mallow municipal district at Monday’s council meeting. 

The veteran councillor has stepped aside before the June election to allow his successor get some experience in the role of a councillor before facing the electorate in the June local elections.