Beverley could replace the late Dick Morrin on Council
17Jul 1996
FOLLOWING the sudden death on Saturday of Fianna Fail County Council member, Mr. Dick Morrin, there is speculation already as to who will replace him on Mayo County Council.
Mr. Morrin (66) was a member of the authority since 1982 when he was co-opted to fill the seat vacated by now EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn on his then ministerial elevation. He was also a former member of Castlebar Urban Council and Mayo VEC as well as being the current vice-chairman of the Western Health Board. He was laid to rest yesterday (Tuesday).It is now likely that the Commissioner's 30-years old daughter, Beverley Cooper-Flynn could be selected to take the seat following her success in receiving the party nomination to contest the next General Election in the new Mayo four-seat constituency.
Castlebar vet, George O'Malley, who failed to get a nomination over Ms. Cooper-Flynn in the last by-election will also be vying for the County Council seat to represent the Castlebar electoral area.
Sitting Castlebar Urban Council member, and former chairman of the authority, Mr. Sean Bourke, is also likely to have his hat in the ring.
The successful selection of Ms. Cooper-Flynn to the County Council would giver her an enormous boost in her bid to take a Dail seat next time out.
The co-option will take place at the September meeting of the local authority. If Ms. Cooper-Flynn is successful she would have the best part of a year building up her profile at County Council level before a General Election would be held.
Meanwhile, the annual general meeting of Mayo County Council takes place on Monday when a new chairman will be elected for the coming year.
In contention for the chair are Fianna Fail Whip, Pat McHugh and party
colleagues Frank Chambers from Newport and Castlebar based Al McDonnell.
Deputy Seamus Hughes had indicated he was interested in the post but is
believed to have pulled out of the race.
Connaught Telegraph - News - July 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - July 1996
