Kilbeggan man to replace Mark Nugent on Council

Politicians bade a fond farewell to a Westmeath County Council institution at the weekend when Labour"s Cllr. Mark Nugent stepped as a member of the local authority.It has been announced that Cllr. Nugent will be replaced by Kilbeggan man Ger Corcoran, who will is expected to be co-opted to the Council at the September meeting, after the body returns from its summer recess.Cllr. Nugent was given a standing ovation by his Council colleagues and staff after saying a few parting words, and he was paid ample tributes by his fellow members, and the County Manager, Danny McLoughlin.Cllr. Joe Whelan (Fine Gael), Chairman of Westmeath County Council, said that he had 'the greatest respect' for the Dalystown man. 'He"s the epitome of a gentleman, and his work for his constituents over the years has been outstanding.'The Council will be a poorer place without Mark. He"s given a tremendous amount of wisdom, and this body has benefited greatly from this.'Cllr. Joe Flanagan led the tributes from the floor for Fine Gael, saying that he was glad to have worked with his Kilbeggan area colleague for twenty years. 'I think Mark would get elected regardless of what party he represented,' Cllr. Flanagan said.'It"s another huge loss to the area when you consider that we lost Tom Cowley in recent times. I thank Mark for his friendship and for his help.'Tributes from the Fianna Fáil group were led by Athlone"s Cllr. Kieran Molloy. 'Mark is a thorough gentleman, courteous and kind. During his time as Council Chairman in 2005, he was quiet and efficient. We"re very sorry to see him go, and I wish him and May every success.'Cllr. Mick Dollard (Labour) spoke on behalf of Cllr. Nugent"s party colleagues. 'Today is a matter of great regret for me and the Labour Party in Westmeath,' recalling the day that both he and Willie Penrose asked the trade union and Credit Union activist to run for the Council.Cllr. Dollard referred to his colleague as 'one of the social consciences of Westmeath', who was a great supporter of social and affordable housing initiatives. 'Even though much of his time will now be taken up with his love of gardening, Mark will continue to be a member of the Labour Party, and will be there to advise us,' Cllr. Dollard said.Glowing tributes were paid by all members present, and finally by the County Manager, Danny McLoughlin, who described the Dalystown man as a 'no nonsense, honest and committed councillor'.'Mark has a great sense of equity and fairness, and a great regard for the working man and woman, his county and his area,' Mr. McLoughlin said.Delivering his parting words, Cllr. Nugent said that he had 'made many friends' during his time as a county councillor, and thanked Cllr. Mick Dollard and Deputy Willie Penrose for their support for him over the years.He described the County Manager and his Council staff as being 'always nice and approachable', while reflecting that he was 'never really into politics'.'It"s not a big job once you get into it. It"s just a matter of doing the work and never saying anything unless you know something about it,' Cllr. Nugent said.He wished the Council luck ahead if its move into the new civic offices in 2009, and called on the Council to restore the county Heritage Office.ActiveCllr. Nugent will be replaced in September by Ger Corcoran, a qualified teacher and Carlow native who has lived in Kilbeggan since 1981. He has been active in the Labour Party locally for many years, and is well known for his involvement with local GAA club, Kilbeggan Shamrocks.Mr. Corcoran has worked in Kildare town for the past number of years advising schools on information technology. He is married to Anne, and they have two children, Aoife (18) and Keith (10).'I"m a great believer in social justice,' Mr. Corcoran told the Westmeath Examiner. 'I believe in putting people before profit, and as a teacher who has dealt with young people for years, it"s time we had a fresh approach to old age party politics. Labour gives that alternative.'Mr. Corcoran - who is set to become the first Labour councillor in the town of Kilbeggan - was approached for co-option by Cllr. Nugent and a local Labour activist in Kilbeggan, Mal Guilfoyle. Cllr. Paul Daly (Fianna Fáil), who was himself co-opted to the Council in recent weeks, is a past pupil of Mr. Corcoran"s.'I"m looking forward to it,' he added. 'Mark has told me that he will be there to advise me, and I"m confident of developing a good relationship with my fellow councillors in the area.'