*Páraic McMahon, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF), Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND), Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) and Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG). 

FOUR of the five departing county councillors join us on the latest episode of The Electoral Chair as they prepare for their next chapters.

Our four guests between them have over 140 years service to local government in Co Clare. They have announced they will not be contesting the local elections on June 7th and they join us on The Electoral Chair at Hotel Woodstock to see how things might pan out.

We’re joined by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), first elected in 1974 and one of the longest serving politicians in the country. He hails from the disadvantaged area of Lissycasey.

Elected at eight different elections, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) prepares to bring a near-eight decade involvement of the McMahon family to an end on Clare County Council having been co-opted following the sudden death of his father Andy.

Not afraid to go the distance is former long distance runner, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) who was first elected to Shannon Town Council in 1999 and has been a sitting member of Clare County Council since 2004.

A return to the tennis courts is on the cards for Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) who was first elected to Ennis Town Council in 2004 and has been an elected member of Clare County Council since 2009.

Apologies have been issued from Cllr Ann Norton (IND) who is unable to join us. She was first elected to the County Council in 2014 and retained her seat in 2019.

Were this to be the make-up of the Corporate Policy Group we’re sure it would send a shiver down the spine of senior officials in Clare County Council.

On the agenda:

  • What is it like to not be canvassing approaching a local election
  • Hurt from Cllr McMahon at losing backing of supporters
  • Predictions on the future make-up of the County Council
  • Biggest challenges facing the next Council
  • Democracy under threat
  • Highlights from representing the people of Clare

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