Brian O’Loughlin celebrates his victory with supporters in Punchestown Brian O’Loughlin (FF) as expected became the third councillor elected in the Kidare LEA after he crested the quota (1,382) with 1,394 votes on the eighth count. He is now the fourth member of the family to be elected to Kildare County Council following his sister Fiona (now in the Senate), their father Jimmy, and their grandfather Joe who served on the very first Kildare Council in 1899. “Ah, it’s not a dynasty,” he laughed, when that was put to him after his result was confirmed, “but I’m humbled by the experience”.
“Wait til the heart stops thumping!” smiled the first-time councillor. “Rathangan born and bred, and the town came out very strongly for me,” he said. “It’s a brilliant community and I’m delighted with the result, I think 50 per cent of the whole town voted for me,” he said.
“Issues? I’m looking at safety in the home, especially with the talk abput moving the Garda Station to Leixlip, and I’m challenging that,” he declared. !On the door, one of the biggest issues seems to be speeding, how do you challenge that?” he asked. “It’s both urban and rural, and unfortunately, seems to be a sign of a booming economy.
“I want the Council to focus on people’s quality of life, community development and more amenties leads into better mental health. “I’d like to help people get out and about more. “The Bluebells [Festival in Kilmacthomas Woods, which .
