*Darragh McAllister. Photograph: Joe Buckley
FORMER publican and ex President of Ennis Chamber, Darragh McAllister has been elected as the new Chairperson of Fianna Fáil’s branch in Clare.
There were no contests at the AGM of the Fianna Fáil Clare Chomairle Dáilcheantair held at Hotel Woodstock on Monday evening. The Doonbeg Suite of the Ennis hotel was brimming as the membership of Fianna Fáil packed in to see if any suspected voting would be held as their entire officer board had served longer than the allocated four years.
Political figures present at the AGM included, Cathal Crowe TD, Senator Timmy Dooley, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy, Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, Cllr Joe Killeen, Cllr Shane Talty, Cllr Michael Shannon, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan, Cllr Pat O’Gorman, Cllr Rita McInerney and Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua along with former Minister Tony Killeen, ex councillors, Patrick Keane, Cillian Murphy and Bernard Hanrahan.
Darragh McAllister who up until last October was co-owner of Lucas’ Bar and Considine’s Bar, both of which are situated on Parnell Street in Ennis, was elected as Chairman of the party’s branch in Clare. He succeeds Newmarket-on-Fergus dairy farmer Mike Enright who held the position since 2016.
McAllister has only recently re-joined the party. He had been one of four candidates in November 2022 seeking co-option to fill the seat on Clare County Council vacated by Mark Nestor (FF), this co-option was won by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF).
Enright who last week told The Clare Echo that he was seeking re-election did not allow his name forward. He and secretary Rita McInerney, PRO Michael McTigue, treasurer Gearoid Kennedy and Aidan White and vice chairman Pat Considine stepped down from their roles.
McInerney’s election to the Council ensured she would not be allowing her name forward to continue in the busy role of constituency secretary. This will now be filled by Garrett Greene, a barrister who ran for the party in the 2009 local elections in the Ennis West electoral area. Gerry Kelly was appointed as assistant secretary.
A month on from losing his seat on the County Council, Cillian Murphy has joined the officer board. The Kilkee man steps into the breach as joint treasurer and this serves as a big lift for the party with some within the Fianna Fáil ranks previously expressing his defeat could see him run as an Independent down the track. Pat Murphy will also act as joint treasurer.
Four time Mayor of Shannon, Geraldine Lambert is the new membership officer while 2019 local election candidate, Louise Roche McNamara is on board as women’s and equality officer.
Liam Hayes, the son of Cllr Pat Hayes was elected youth officer while former Chairman of the Ennis Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceantair Tom Costelloe is the new PRO and retired principal of St Joseph’s School in Spanish Point, Mary Crawford succeeds Pat Considine as Vice Chairman.
Fianna Fáil CDC Officer Board:
Chairman: Darragh McAllister
Vice Chairman: Mary Crawford
Secretary: Garrett Greene
Asst Secretary: Gerry Kelly
Joint Treasurer: Tom Costelloe
Joint Treasurer: Pat Murphy
PRO: Cillian Murphy
Youth officer: Liam Hayes
Womens/equality officer: Louise Roche McNamara
Membership officer: Geraldine Lambert
Honorary Presidents: Jack Hanrahan, Tony Killeen, Sile de Valera
Honorary Vice Presidents: Ann Arthur O’Brien, Mary O’Dwyer, Mary Leahy, Joan Barrett, Murt McInerney, Patrick Moloney, Michael McNamara
