Ex New Ross councillor to run in Rosslare district

FINE Gael has chosen businessman Willie Fitzharris to run in the Rosslare Municipal District area in the Local Election this June 7.

Fitzharris previously sat as a councillor in the New Ross Municipal District from 2014 to 2019, prior to being eliminated in the election that year, a loss he attributes to boundary changes.

From Gusserane, close to the Rosslare Municipal area, Fitzharris has worked in construction and farming all his life.

“I come from a family of seventeen and was raised on a small farm. I was educated in Ballycullane National School and Shelbaggan Technical School.”

In 1987 he set up my own construction company (Fitzharris Construction Ltd) and due to strong commitment and a dedicated workforce became very successful. “We quickly grew to employing over 60 people and turning over six million. We carried out contracts all over Ireland North and South as well as England and Spain.”

In 2004 he took over a long-established crane hire company (Jim Kehoe Crane Hire) and quickly grew the company to employ up to 30 people, with a turnover over €2m a year.

“The financial crisis hit us hard and we had to let go a lot of good people. We moved our cranes and access equipment to Poland and are still trading there today. Due to a loyal workforce and good customers our construction company survived.”

In 2023 Fitzharris decided to step back and reduce his construction activities.

“I have been involved and worked with Fine Gael all my life along with my father who held every position in the party including a member of the national executive.”

Fitzharris currently sits on the following boards; County Wexford Chamber of Commerce and have served as president 2019 - 2020, JFK Trust New Ross which manage the Dunbrody Tall Ship, (he has served as chairperson on three occasions), Wexford Local Development (where he has been involved in the local childcare service at St Leonards for thirty-five years and has served as chairperson for most of that time).

He joined the board of Tintern Community & Sports Complex in 2014 and has served as chairperson for the past seven years. He was also involved in development of Hook Sub Aqua Dive Centre.

“I also sit on the oversight committee of the New Ross Credit Union. If elected I will work hard and use my vast experience in business, farming, community work and politics to represent the people of The Rosslare Municipal Area.”