‘A privilege and an honour to be co-opted onto my father’s seat’
THE son of the late Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald has been co-opted on to Cork County Council to fill the vacant seat on the authority following the passing of his father.
Last Monday Daniel Fitzgerald was given a warm welcome by his new colleagues in the chamber as he attended his first full meeting of the council.
The 37-year-old married father of three, a former pupil at the Patrician Academy, graduated from the CIT with a degree in structural engineering and is the director of Mallow-based Fitzgerald Construction.
Addressing the council chamber on Monday Cllr Fitzgerald acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill given the huge popularity of his late father and the enormous respect in which he was held by the public, fellow councillors and local authority staff.
“As you are aware the past few months have been a roller coaster of emotions for my family and I due to the untimely passing of my father. He immensely enjoyed his time as a town and county councillor and the kind words from his colleagues, past and present, was of great comfort to us. On behalf of my family I would like to thank everyone sincerely for that,” said Cllr Fitzgerald.
He said his father had “dedicated his life” to serving the community he loved so much.
“He had a deep rooted interest in the community and put the public first in everything. I supported my father through each election campaign and loved working with him behind the scenes and although it is tinged with sadness, it is also both a privilege and an honour for me to be co-opted into my father’s seat to complete his term,” said Cllr Fitzgerald.
During is speech Cllr Fitzgerald said one of his priorities, like that of his late father, was to push for progress on the much needed Mallow bypass road network.
Among his other aims are securing funding for local services in particular roads and housing, the implementation of a “fair and functioning” traffic management policy for Mallow and the provision of safe public areas and sporting amenities for the young.
“I know Dad made many good friends here in county hall, and I hope that I can continue these friendships and work together with everyone to serve the people of the Mallow/Kanturk municipal area to the very best of my ability,” he added.
Cllr Fitzgerald also thanked Fianna Fail members for their “overwhelming support” during the co-option process.