Laois' newest councillor Elva Kelly welcomed to Laois County Council
Elva Kelly was selected as Fianna Fáil's replacement for Cllr Padraig Fleming who retired last month
Fianna Fáil’s Elva Kelly was officially co-opted to Laois County Council on Monday, April 27.
The newest councillor was selected to fill the vacancy left by Cllr Padraig Fleming following his retirement in March.
A native of The Swan, Cllr Kelly will represent voters in the Graiguecullen and Portarlington Municipal District.
Cllr Kelly was chosen to replace her fellow native of The Swan at the Laois Fianna Fáil MD Convention in Portlaoise on Thursday, April 23.
The newly appointed Cllr Elva Kelly outside County Hall on her first day serving on Laois County Council.
She went head to head with three other candidates for the position, including Joey Kennedy, Ross Molloy and Willie Ramsbottom.
Cllr Kelly was warmly welcomed by fellow councillors at Monday’s meeting of Laois County Council which was attended by her husband, Laois GAA County Board Chairperson and Timahoe clubman, PJ Kelly, and other members of her family.
Addressing the council chambers, Cllr Kelly thanked Laois County Council for their support so far and looked ahead to the future.
"I am looking forward to working with and learning from my Fianna Fáil colleagues and fellow councillors in the chamber. I will continue the good work that is already evident in our communities.
"I hope my presence in the chamber will have a positive influence on the future of the Portarlington and Graiguecullen MD. I promise to bring honesty, positivity and accountability to my role as Fianna Fáil councillor for County Laois."
Chief Executive for Laois County Council, Michael Rainey, welcomed the new Fianna Fáil councillor, saying: "You will be a strong representative for your area. Anything we can do to support you to ensure you have an enjoyable and effective term, we will do."
Her fellow Fianna Fáil councillors also congratulated Cllr Kelly on her new role, with Cllr Pascal McEvoy saying she is a "great county activist and will take to the position very well."
Cllr Kelly’s election to Laois County Council marks a record number of women now serving on the council. Along with Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cllr Kelly is Fianna Fáil’s second female councillor.
Of the six female councillors, half represent the Graiguecullen and Portarlington MD. Fine Gael councillor Vivienne Phelan said she was delighted to see another woman joining the council and creating a greater gender balance in the district.
"We’re in the very fortunate position now in the Graiguecullen and Portarlington MD that we have 50/50 female and male representatives. I’m delighted to see that and I’ve no doubt you’ll have great contributions to make," Cllr Phelan said.
Although this is Cllr Kelly’s first venture into elected office, her family has deep ties with Fianna Fáil. Her father, the late Seamus Dwyer, was a senior party member for many years.
She has also worked in the family business, Dwyer Transport. The 49-year-old began working as Clerical Officer for Laois County Council's Corporate section in June of last year.