New chapter written for Wexford political dynasty which stretches back to the 1960s

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The latest chapter in a political story which dates back to the 1960s was written in Wexford’s County Hall last Friday as Councillor Ger Carthy assumed the role of cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD). Proposed by Cllr Lisa McDonald and seconded by Cllr Frank Staples, the Our Lady’s Island man was joined by his family, friends, and large group of supporters in the chamber for an event which commemorated the past and looked ahead to the future.

In an emotional speech, the new cathaoirleach recalled the storied career of his father and mentor, Leo Carthy, and how the family ties in his parish run deep across generations.

Paying tribute to his wife Ann Marie, his three children, and his mother Anne, all of whom were present, Cllr Carthy also commended the men who had supported his numerous election campaigns since he first became a public representative 11 years ago.

"To my wife and family, your support, patience, and encouragement have been my foundation and I am deeply grateful to you,” he said. “I would also like to thank my election team and stalwart supporters such as Michael Vaughan, David Maloney, Jack Burke, and Jack Murphy, for their unwavering commitment and tireless effort. Those men are the sons of men who worked with my father and we all do this because we enjoy it and want to help the people who have supported us along the way.”

With the late Leo Carthy holding a seat on the council from 1960-2009, the Carthy family have represented the people of Our Lady’s Island and Co Wexford for 60 years and, during his time on the council, Ger has served as Mayor of Wexford, as cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council (WCC), and now as cathaoirleach of the RMD for the second time.

“Over the years I have had the privilege of serving n various capacities, throughout that time I have remained focusing on delivering real outcomes and acting as a strong voice for our communities,” he said. “As chair my priorities will be clear and community-driven: housing delivery remains a critical challenge, I believe we need to change the mindset around cluster developments in the RMD to ensure sustainable and timely developments that meet local needs.

“I remain committed to advancing environmental and amenity projects, such as the protection and sustainable future of Our Lady’s Island Lake and ensuring proper engagement with the permanent drainage solution. I will continue to advocate for improved parking facilities and broader investment in Rosslare Strand to support its growing community and tourism potential.

“Above all, I will continue to work in close partnership with community groups right across our district, supporting their initiatives and ensuring their voices are heard at every level. I will serve with integrity, energy, and a deep sense of responsibility to every townland and resident in our district.”

Congratulating Cllr Carthy on his elevation to the role as cathaoirleach, his fellow councillors paid tribute to a man they described as "one of the most capable public representatives in the entire county”.

“He’s the most experienced councillor in the district and possibly the county in terms of his achievements,” said Cllr McDonald. “Cllr Carthy has a way with dealing with bureaucracy which enables him to cut through the dross and deliver for the people he represents. I have no doubt he will drive us all on in his desire to deliver for this district. Congratulations to you and your team, to your mother Anne and all your family.”

This ability to deal briskly with red tape was also referenced by Cllr Staples.

“Cllr Carthy has always delivered for his people, he cuts through the nonsense and gets things done.”

Outgoing cathaoirleach Cllr Jim Codd has also got political blood running through his veins and noted how the Codds and the Carthys had always worked well together in the past.

“There’s been 60 of years of representation from what can only be described as the Carthy dynasty in Co Wexford, and there’s a reason people continue to vote for the Carthys and it’s because they work hard for the people they represent, every election they have contested tells that story,” he said.

“My uncle Pat (Codd, former councillor) always said Leo Carthy was a great colleague and someone he looked up to and learned from, and I repeat that same line here today, Ger is a great colleague and deserves all the plaudits he has received here today.”

Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien offered her congratulations and wished Cllr Carthy the best for the year ahead, saying that she had no doubt he would “be an exceptional chair and a strong voice for the district”.

While Cllr Carthy’s family and friends were all present to celebrate the occasion, chief executive Eddie Taaffe said that the duties associated with the position of cathaoirleach meant that Ger’s loved ones may have to lend him to the council for the next 12 months.

“I’m sure you’ll continue the work you have always done for your people in the RMD and the county,” he said. “As you know, there’s a busy year ahead and a lot of work in chairing a district, your family has to be thanked in advance for lending you to us for the year ahead because there are a lot of sacrifices involved.”

Prior to Cllr Carthy’s election as cathaoirleach, the outgoing chair Cllr Jim Codd reflected on his year at the helm, describing it as the “highlight” of his political career.

“It has been a great honour to serve the people of this district for the past year,” he said. “I have a great love for this district and its people and we must continue to battle for them as their public representatives. I want to pay special thanks to the community groups across the district who organise events, clean up villages, sew flowers, and keep things going, and to our council crews who battle floods, tend to our roads, and do the work of multiple people.

“We have a wonderful team here, staff who go way beyond their duties on a daily basis, in particular our district manager Nóirín Cummins who has never once told me where to go during the many times I rang her on multiple occasions during the same day

“We are spoiled for choice here in terms of leadership; a councillor said to me upon my election that the RMD is the premier league of Wexford politics, and it certainly is that. Everyone who sits in these seats represents their people and, as a district, I think we do it rather well.”

Describing Cllr Codd as someone who brought “great tenacity and drive” to the position and commending him on his work over the past year, Cllr Carthy congratulated his colleague and wished him all the best for the next four years of the term.

This was echoed by Cllr McDonald who said Cllr Codd had displayed “great dedication and commitment” during his 12 months as chair.

“You have set the standard for the rest of us to follow,” added Cllr Staples, “it was a great year for you and your family and I wish you all the best.”

The congratulations continued from Cllr O’Brien and Ms Cummins with the latter expressing her relief that the chains of office had made it through the year relatively unscathed.

“You showed tremendous commitment and passion throughout the year, and the chains had a well-earned rest this week to allow for the inscription of your name.”

Lastly, director of services Lynda Lacey said it had been a “pleasure working” with Cllr Codd and the entire RMD team over the last year.

“You’re very passionate about the district and this was evident through the way you represented us by attending events and launches,” she said to Cllr Codd. “I would also like to Nóirín and her team and our engineer Michael Brazzill for his dedication and commitment. I’m extremely privileged to work with the staff here.”

Cllr McDonald was subsequently elected as leas-cathaoirleach of the RMD for the year ahead.