Former Kilkenny councillor and Dáil hopeful makes shock return to politics
Patrick McKee, who won a seat on Kilkenny County Council in 2014, has revealed he’s now the local area representative for Fianna Fáil in Dublin’s South East Inner City area
A former Kilkenny county councillor who also ran twice for a Dáil seat has made a surprise return to politics several years after stepping away from elected office.
Patrick McKee, who won a seat on Kilkenny County Council in 2014, has revealed he’s now the local area representative for Fianna Fáil in Dublin’s South East Inner City area.
“ I’m really looking forward to meeting local residents, community groups and businesses, and working together to make our area an even better place to live and work,” he shared with followers.
“Also, a privilege to be working with and alongside Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD and supporting him in his important work as the Fianna Fáil TD in Dublin Bay South and in his role as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. “
McKee, who initially represented Fianna Fail when first elected, caused a stir in the local political scene when he defected to Lucinda Creighton’s offshoot Renua Party ahead of the 2015 Carlow-Kilkenny By-Election. He stood for the party in that plebiscite, which was ultimately won by the late Bobby Aylward TD of Fianna Fail. McKee polled a respectable 9.5% of the first preference vote.
He fared less well in the 2016 General Election, and did not secure a seat. He then left Renua and became and Independent councillor on Kilkenny County Council, before rejoining Fianna Fáil in 2017. However, McKee later announced he would not be seeking re-election as a councillor in 2019, choosing to focus instead on a burgeoning career as a solicitor. He now lives and works in Dublin.