Louise succeeds her late mother on South Tipp County Council
A daughter of the late Cllr Catherine McLoughlin has become her successor on South Tipperary County Council and has pledged to emulate her late mother's passion and dedication to representing the people of the Cashel Electoral Area.
Thirty-one years-old Lousie McLoughlin, eldest daughter of Catherine McLoughlin, fought back tears as she addressed South Tipperary Co. Council on Monday following her co-option to the council seat her mother secured in the local elections last year.
Fine Gael's new councillor said she was privileged and honoured to be co-opted to the seat held by her mother. She recalled that she and her family were so proud in June last year when her mother was elected to the Council.
"She worked extremely hard to earn the right to be a county councillor...
"She loved her work and loved being a county councillor. I never saw my mother as happy as when she was elected."
Cllr McLoughlin continued that it broke her heart when her mother died. It seemed like a waste to lose such a dedicated and hard working councillor like her who only got 12 months on the Council.
"As her daughter I am so passionate to continue on her work and I am deeply committed to working for the community and making a difference to the people," she said.
She thanked the members of the Council for the support they had given her family.
The 31 year-old, who works in her family's business Pied Piper Chemicals in Ballinure secured her party's nomination for the council seat at a selection convention held in Kearney's Castle Hotel in Cashel last Thursday. She defeated her rival, Richard Wood, brother of Independent Cllr Tom Wood, by a resounding 127 votes to 27.
Ms McLoughlin's father Bob and three of her five siblings Garret, Hilary and Yvonne were present in the Council Chamber on Monday for the co-option proceedings.
Fine Gael councillors Jack Crowe and Michael Fitzgerald proposed and seconded Ms McLoughlin to be co-opted to the vacant seat.
She received a standing ovation from the members of the Council when Chairman Cllr Sean McCarthy declared the co-option approved.
Cllr Crowe said it was an honour for him to propose Louise McLoughlin to take over the the seat held by her mother, who had been a great worker on behalf of her constituents.
He told the Council meeting that Ms McLoughlin gave a wonderful, powerful and sincere speech seeking the nomination at the Fine Gael party convention. He knew she would be a very able and efficient worker, who would fulfil her duties as a public representative in a first class way.
Cllr Fitzgerald, the Fine Gael party whip on the Council, said it was a difficult time for the McLoughlin family since Catherine's sudden death. The mandate and support Louise received at the party convention last week to continue the good work started by her mother was very special.
He offered Ms McLoughlin the Fine Gael group's support, help and encouragement as she learned the ropes of being a councillor though from listening to her at the convention he believed she hadn't much to learn.
Cllr McLoughlin was welcomed by representatives of Fianna Fail, Labour, the Workers and Unemployed Action Group and Independents on the Council.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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