Former councillors share payout of over €560,000

Local politicians who failed to be re-elected or retired following May’s local elections will share a payout of over half a million euro, receiving varying amounts depending on the length of time they spent in office.

Sixteen of Kilkenny’s former councillors receive the taxable gratuities ranging in size from around €10,000 to over €60,000, with the total bill reaching €563,602. Of the 16, nine were county council members only, two were members of the borough council, while four served on both bodies.

The largest ‘parachute payment’ was €62,142 to former Fine Gael councillor Billy Ireland. Mr Ireland, who had served as a member of Kilkenny County Council for over 35 years, failed to be elected in the Kilkenny City West area this year.

Fellow former Fine Gael councillor Tom Maher, who retired in May, received a gratuity of €61,269, while long-standing members of both the borough and county councils Paul Cuddihy (retired) and John Coonan (lost seat) received €49,511 respectively. Former councillors Michael O’ Brien (LAB), Catherine Connery (FG), Cora Long (FF), and Martin Brett (FG) all received amounts in excess of €40,000.

The lowest amount to be paid out, €9,860, will go to former councillor Jane Moran (FG) who left politics after just under three years on the council. Along with Anne Marie Irish and Sean O’ hArgain, she will not receive her payment until the age of 50.

Gratuities

Billy Ireland (FG): €62,142

Tom Maher (FG): €61,269

Paul Cuddihy (FG): €49,511

John Coonan (FF): €49,511

Catherine Connery (FG): €47,724

Cora Long (FF): €47,724

Michael O’ Brien (LAB): €47,647

Martin Brett (FG): €41,612

Marie Fitzpatrick (LAB): €35,265

Joe Reidy (FF): €23,862

Pat Crowley (FG): €19,726

Sean Treacy (FF): €16,687

Tommy Prendergast (LAB): €10,694

PRESERVED UNTIL AGE 50

Sean O’ hArgain (LAB): €23,861

Anne Marie Irish (FG): €16,687

Jane Moran (FG): €9,860