Boxer says Dáil comeback represents 'a dream come true'
"It was a dream come true. I had to pinch myself," said Kevin 'Boxer' Moran as he reflected on taking his seat in the Dáil last week for the first time in nearly five years.
"To go from where I was six months ago to where I am today is enormous for me personally. I can only say thanks to the people of Athlone, and to all the people who put their trust in me to represent them."
Joined by some of his family for last Wednesday's first Dáil sitting since the general election, 'Boxer' said he was delighted by the warmth of the reception he received, not just from fellow TDs but also from the ushers and staff in Leinster House.
He is part of the Regional Independent Group and spoke about his friendship with one of its key members, Michael Lowry, who was previously investigated by the Moriarty Tribunal.
'Boxer' said that when he first became a TD in 2016, Mr Lowry had helped him find his feet in the Dáil. "We've been friendly ever since and, in the last four and a half years, myself and Michael Lowry would have spoken once a week every week.
"People like him and (former parliamentary assistant) Eugene Deering have been a back pillar to me in terms of guiding me back into politics. Those are people that you take pride in, along with Gerry McManus, James Duignan and John Gibbons, who replaced me (on the county council)."
He paid a particularly warm tribute to his wife, Michelle. "I can't say enough about my own wife.
"She has gone through hell and back in the last few years. It takes a great person to stand behind a politician in this day and age, because of social media."
The vile social media abuse faced by politicians is something he has spoken about previously, and he said it continues to be a major issue.
"What I say to people is, every time you press that button (to post something abusive on social media) there is someone at the other end that you're having a go at, there's a family and there's kids (affected).
"If it keeps going the way it's going now, you won't be able to get people to represent the town or the county (as elected representatives).
"But I have my wife, I have great sons, Jamie and John, my mother and father, my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and my sisters and brothers. My sister Pamela has been a rock, and my brother Derek, right through my whole career in politics. They've never let me down.
"I want to thank and salute the people of Athlone. Whatever happens over the next five to six weeks, I'll represent them at the highest level and I won't be found wanting."
He said he is hoping to take on staff and get his constituency office up and running around the middle of January.