Labour councillor takes up vacant seat to return Tuam town board to full complement

TUAM Town Council has been returned to its full complement this month with the co-option of Labour Cllr Pat O'Hora. [private] The nine-member board has gone through a period of significant upheaval over the past 18 months with three elected members relinquishing their roles for a variety of reasons. Cllr O'Hora takes up his seat following the co-option of his party colleague Cllr Shaun Cunniffe to Galway Co Council. The move came after Galway East Labour TD Colm Keaveney was elected to the Dáil. Mayor of Tuam Cllr Mary Loftus sought a nominator and seconder for Cllr O'Hora at the September council meeting with Cllr Owen Ward and Cllr Paul O'Grady providing the necessary support. Welcoming Cllr O'Hora to the board, Cllr Tom Reilly said he looked forward to working with him for the remainder of the board's tenure over the next two years. 'It is a singular honour for me to serve on this board, having lived and worked in the local community for most of my life,' said the new councillor. 'I hope I live up to the responsibility placed upon me in this new role.' Earlier this year, Cllr Paul O'Grady, a former deputy mayor in the town, returned to local politics after a two-year absence to take over from his Fine Gael colleague Pete Warren who resigned due to work and sports commitments. In April 2010, independent Cllr Martin Ward stepped down due to ill health with his seat being filled by fellow independent Cllr Owen Ward. [/private]