George Gill fills Fianna Fáil council seat of late PG Murphy

WEST Cork’s newest councillor, Fianna Fáil’s George Gill, said he will do his best to live up to the standards and quality of service that the late Patrick Gerard Murphy gave to the county of Cork.

The 33-year-old Caheragh-native, who is the southern region executive with the Construction Industry Federation, was speaking at Monday’s meeting of the local authority where he was co-opted to take the seat in the Bantry local electoral area of Cllr Murphy, who passed away last September.

George and former Councillor Danny Crowley were the only two to put their names forward for selection within the party with Cllr Gill winning by just seven votes on Friday last.

Aiden McCarthy, chairman of the Comhairle Dáil Cheantair for Cork South West, paid tribute to Patrick Gerard at Friday’s event and said the late councillor will be remembered with ‘respect, admiration and gratitude.’

‘Though his passing was very sudden and very painful for his family and friends, his legacy lives on. He lives on in the policies he supported, the people he advocated for and the example he set for future leaders.’

At Monday’s meeting, Cllr Gearóid Murphy proposed George for the seat, while Skibbereen-based Cllr Joe Carroll seconded his proposal.

Cllr Gill said: ‘This is bitter sweet for me as Patrick Gerard Murphy was a tireless advocate for West Cork. He was the county mayor once and got to represent Cork both at home and abroad,’ said Cllr Gill. I will do my best to live up to the standards and quality of service he gave to Cork.’

Cllr Carroll said he has known Cllr Gill for many years and that ‘his heart is in politics’.

‘We cannot forget Patrick Gerard,’ he added. ‘He was my friend, he was a gentleman and we will miss him terribly in here. He would be happy to see who took his place in the council.’

Cllr Gearóid Murphy said he has known Cllr Gill for many years and said he will make a substantial contribution to Cork County Council.