McDermott bowing out of local politics after over 55 years serving north Westmeath

The safest political seat in the country is set to be vacated with the news last night that Councillor Frank McDermott is bowing out of political life and will not be a candidate in next June's local election.

Frank, who turned 79 last week, has decided after a year of consideration, not to run in the next local election, leaving Fine Gael seeking a candidate for a seat that Frank has held without “fear or favour” as he would say, since 1967.

The Fore-based councillor represents the Kinnegad area on the Mullingar-Kinnegad municipal district of Westmeath County Council.

“It was difficult,” said Frank, “ I have no doubt that if I let my name go forward that I would win the seat again. I have contested thirteen conventions, eleven Westmeath County council elections, one general election and two Seanad elections. But I won’t last forever. “

Frank said there were a few names in the hat but no clear candidate to run instead of him.

All politics is local but Frank believes that the role of local representative has been significantly eroded and diminished in the last decade and believes that the wheel must be turned in the opposite direction and return the old powers of a county councillor back to these elected representatives.

“There is something very, very broken in local politics that needs fixed for the betterment of everyone. When I started there were strong relationships built between the councillor and the council and the councillor and his community.

“Now that has all broken down. The personnel in the council are changing so quickly that you cannot speak to the same person twice on any issue. That lack of continuity is creating breaks in development and accountability. That damages local democracy, that damages credibility, it damages trust in you as a rep that can get things done.

“The knock-on effect is that you cannot show progress and then people lose confidence in you and your political party. So loyalty to one party or to one set of ideals disappears. That is damaging. That loss of loyalty is a loss of local democracy.”

Cllr Emily Wallace described the news, given into the local party last night as “like a death.”

“Frank has given his whole life to Fine Gael, he is a gentleman who was unfaltering in his support for his community, his party, his fellow councillors, and his government. He is the real deal, so genuine, and when I was first elected, I sat in beside him, to learn as much as I could as swiftly as possible about the workings of politics and the council. I also learned about his greatest skill, relationship building, and championing your local area- there is no one like Frank. He also always made me laugh, that is one of his gifts, he is great company.”

Deputy Peter Burke says that, for him, it has been "a privilege" to work alongside Cllr McDermott.

“Frank has been an exceptional public representative since first elected in 1967. He chaired the council on two occasions in 2004 and in 2016 and has played a significant role in representing the people of north Westmeath.

"He has made his mark on projects are all over the county and in particular significant investment in the historical area of Fore. Through such a sizeable term in public life, Frank has seen many changes in the county and he has been at the forefront of improving people’s lives at every level. His experience and knowledge was so valuable in the council chamber and he always a voice of reason.

“Frank has been a great supporter of mine and we worked very closely at council level when I was elected to Westmeath County Council in 2009 and it has been a privilege to work alongside him and benefit from his wealth of experience. I was always taken by Frank’s energy and enthusiasm which drove his agenda to serve the local community.

“Special recognition must go to Ann who has been a strong pillar of support over this time, and we all know the evening meetings and out or hours requirement that comes with the job.

“I wish Frank, Ann and all the family well in the future and no doubt his voice and advice will be called on by the Fine Gael party in the future,” concluded Minister Burke.