Hyland to consider options after loss of council seat

FORMER Independent councillor Christy Hyland says he will take time to consider his options in public life after losing his seat in Friday’s local election

The Westport-based former garda was one of the biggest casualties of the 2024 local elections, losing a seat in the Westport Electoral Area. Speaking to The Mayo News after his defeat he said after serving 30 years in An Garda Siochána and the last 15 years as a councillor, to spend more time with his family before considering his future.

“I have give 45 years in toltal to public life but I will take time to consider what to do next as I have always been active in public life. I will spend time with my family and reflect.

“The people have decided and I wish to thank everyone for their support especially, my wife Maggie and daughter Ruth, and all the people who supported me over the years.

“It is a relief if I am honest with you. I worked hard and was fortunate to devote myself full-time as a public representative. There were times when I would get phone calls and have to miss family events to help people out and I will not miss those calls. I could not have worked any harder and gave it my all,” he said. He was first elected to Westport Town Council in 2009 as a Fine Gael councillor but was elected to Mayo County Council in 2014 as an Independent after failing to get the party nomination. He was reelected five years later after topping the poll.

Hyland had been tipped by many to retain his seat and feels this perception may have worked against him.

‘Home and dry’

“THE biggest problem I had on the campaign was people saying I was home and dry and I feel I lost a large number of votes because people thought I was going to be elected anyway. That is what I put the loss down to. I lost a few hundred votes on that. People went into the ballot box thinking Hyland was safe and to give vote to someone else,” he explained.

Along with his other council colleagues he was a victim of the surge of support behind Chris Maxwell, particularly in the communities around Croagh Patrick. His support in the Murrisk box dropped by a third and Hyland admitted this was a shock given the campaigning he did to bring the water to the village and for the renovation of the toilets at Croagh Patrick.

“I was absolutely shocked because I put my head on the block six years ago regarding getting the water to Murrisk. I helped highlight the problem in The Irish Times despite receiving criticism for it which eventually led to people getting together and on board to bring the water to Murrisk. Now there are machines on the ground. I was there to serve the community and I did what I could.”