Ordinary Joe keeps a councillor in Knockmore

THE hands that helped shape the village of Knockmore over the past quarter century will continue to guide its newest representative in Mayo County Councillor.

Newly-elected county councillor, Joe Faughnan (Independent), aims to continue the work begun by his predecessor, Séamus Weir, who has become something of a political mentor to one of Mayo’s youngest county councillors.

Cllr Faughnan’s association with Mr Weir began long before they canvassed their first doorstep together after the ex-Fine Gael councillor announced his retirement from the council.

“My Dad was involved with Fine Gael, back in the day he was chairman of the local branch and stuff. He was involved with Séamus Weir going back at least two or three times getting in,” Cllr Faughnan told The Mayo News shortly after his election.

Though Mr Weir ultimately parted ways with Fine Gael on the issue of overhead pylons, the people of Knockmore stood by their man - who enjoyed a successful playing and managerial career with their proud GAA club.

His protégé is steeped in a different code, and is well-known as the manager of the high-flying Conn Rangers Super League team and a member of the Mayo Football League committee.

As a result, Cllr Faughnan’s recognition in the technical area paid dividends in the ballot boxes, where he drew a respectable vote far beyond his native Knockmore.

Like any good manager, he could not have achieved victory without a good team around him.

“The kind of people I got in the area; they were people that could pull in votes for me and get on people’s cases and do a lot of work as part of the team, and I suppose I was blessed lucky with the team in that regard. It helped me get over the line,” said Cllr Faughnan.

His main priorities as a councillor include ‘three or four’ local projects that Mr Weir helped initiate, like the ongoing development of a playground in Knockmore.

Tallying a colossal 372 votes in Lissaniska NS alone, a strong vote in Culleens NS, Cloghans NS, Curragbiggin NS and a steady flow of transfers into the early hours of Tuesday morning eventually got the broad-shouldered soccer boss over the line without reaching the quota.

What, then, was he pitching to the voters outside Séamus Weir’s old stomping ground?

“We were very honest at the door throughout. You can’t be promising people unrealistic things,” said Cllr Faughnan.

“I maybe saw myself having a bit of young blood to bring to the council and that. So I think for Knockmore I was delighted with the first preference votes I got in Knockmore. I nearly got over 1,000 votes, which is three quarters of the parish. A quarter of the parish is in Neil Cruise’s area, so Knockmore really wanted to keep the seat.”

But Knockmore’s vote alone was never going to get him elected.

“The big thing for us was just capturing the imagination on the doors and just having a good rapport with everyone. I kind of made it known all throughout, whether we were in Knockmore, Ardagh, Crossmolina, Ballina, that my number is there on the leaflet and if they have any issues I’ll try my best to work and help them going forward. That was one of the main things for me.”

A Knockmore man to the backbone, Séamus Weir was on the ground with Cllr Faughnan right up until the moment he was lifted shoulder high in the Ruby Room of the TF at 3am on Tuesday, June 11.

Though gone from elected office, the man that vacated Cllr Faughnan’s seat will only ever be a phone call away.

“I’m very lucky to have Séamus Weir to guide me and help me over the next few months. He always says don’t be afraid to give him a call. It’s something I’ll definitely be doing over the next few weeks while I’m learning the ropes.”