Cork City Council gets two new members to replace newly elected TDs

At a special meeting of Cork City Council, two new members were sworn in to replace the newly elected TDs who said farewell to the chamber last week.

Niamh O’Connor, a practising solicitor who lives off Barrack Street with her husband and two young children, was formally selected to replace the Social Democrats’ Pádraig Rice in the city's South Central ward, and will be the new youngest member of the council.

Speaking after her co-option, Ms O’Connor said: “This is a huge honour for me. 

“I have lived in Cork for my whole life and I really love the city. I think it could be the best little city in the world but it does need some TLC.

“The levels of vacancy and dereliction around town are shocking, the state of footpaths in my area is desperate and we need more reliable public transport.” 

She added: “Pádraig has left big shoes to fill, he was a fantastic local representative and I intend to honour that by hitting the ground running and championing the local issues he was so adept at raising.” 

Mr Rice said that he was “delighted” with her selection, and the fact that it meant one more woman on Cork City Council, saying: “I have known Niamh for a number of years now, and I know her to be hard-working, passionate about people and committed to making Cork a better place for everyone.” 

He added that his commitment to the people of the area remains, and he will be working alongside Niamh every day as a TD to continue to campaign on local issues.

Also selected at the meeting was Noel O’Flynn, who fills his son Ken’s Independent Ireland seat in the city's North East ward.

Ken told The Echo in advance of the ceremony: “For us, it’s been all systems go. 

“It’s been an exciting but challenging time for me as a newly elected TD, and I’m delighted to have Noel on board.

“I know he can hit the ground running without needing any training, he’s had a lifetime of experience. 

“He’s used to this job so he can just resume the type of work I have been doing - he’s given me my training, so I know I don’t need to give him any words of advice!”