New councillor selected for Soc Dems in East Cork

Eamonn Horgan has been selected by the Social Democrats to be co-opted to Cork County Council, taking up the seat being vacated in East Cork by newly elected TD Liam Quaide.

Mr Horgan, who is originally from Doneraile in North Cork, lives in Midleton with his fiancée Carol Marie and their one-year-old daughter, Léana. He is a civil engineer by profession and is currently working as a project manager for a process engineering consultancy firm.

At an uncontested convention in Midleton on December 11, Mr Horgan outlined his aims for his term as councillor, including the provision of amenities such as playgrounds and skate-parks, addressing the scourge of dereliction, pushing for more affordable housing, improving public transport and ensuring that flood protection measures are implemented.

Mr Horgan said: “East Cork is such a wonderful place to live, with a vibrant, engaged and supportive community. Large industry and enterprise are incredibly dynamic, with smaller businesses and entrepreneurs buoyed by a collective will to succeed, and local food and hospitality are world renowned.

“Yet there is so much that can make East Cork a better place to live. And for this we need strong Social Democratic representation at local government level.” 

Liam Quaide, who also attended the convention said: “Eamonn will be a great public representative for East Cork.

“He is an extremely hard-working and committed member of the Social Democrats, tuned in to the needs of the local population and possessing many important qualities to bring to the role, including a keen understanding of land use and urban planning.

“Eamonn has impeccable people skills and will form strong relationships within the Council, with external agencies and in the broader community.”

Me Quaide recently told The Echo that he had thought his election campaign might be over after a period of illness.

He explained: “I got unwell in the first week of October. It felt like a virus that would pass quickly, but I just couldn’t shake it. I was completely out of commission for three weeks, with high temperatures, a very bad cough, and general malaise.” This made canvassing difficult but a consultant later advised that he had an atypical respiratory tract infection.

Mr Quaide concluded: “In one way, going through the challenge of that illness made the success... all the more remarkable and satisfying. It was against the odds in several respects.”