Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern praises work of local councillors on Kilkenny visit

In a week when the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement was marked, councillors from across Ireland gathered to listen to the inside story from that historic time, as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern addressed a conference in Kilkenny.

The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) hosted Bertie Ahern in conversation with broadcaster Mary Kennedy as part of the association’s annual conference, at Hotel Kilkenny.

Current President of the AILG is Kilkenny County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick. Cllr Fitzpatrick invited the former Taoiseach to speak at the event and was delighted to welcome him to the city.

Speaking to the Kilkenny People Mr Ahern said it was important for him to be at the conference because he has a huge regard and respect for local councillors and the good work they do.

Kilkenny Squash Club is back - join in a blitz!

Check out the photographs from the club's first blitz on new courts

More than 300 delegates from across the country attended the AILG’s annual training conference, which was held over two days.
Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick was on hand to welcome councillors and said it was an ‘honour’ to welcome his fellow delegates to Kilkenny and show them all that the county has to offer.

Discussion topics during the seminar included housing, rural and urban regeneration, delivering on Local Authority Climate Action Plans, and taking an all-island approach to addressing threats, harassment and abuse of councillors.
Guest speakers included Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr. David Fitzgerald and Tim Butler, Director of Services for Kilkenny County Council, Paul O’Brien, National Environment Committee Chairman of the IFA, Breda Maher, Regional Coordinator of the Eastern & Midlands Climate Action Regional Office (CARO).

End in sight but thousands still counting the cost of boil water notice in North Kilkenny

A discussion on taking an all-island approach to address threats, harassment and abuse of councillors, was held. Sergeant Peter McConnon, Crime Prevention Officer for the Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford Division offered advice to delegates on personal safety following the growing number of councillors speaking out about online and offline political violence they are experiencing.

Alison Allen, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) and her colleague Lisa O’ Kane then delivered recent research findings conducted by NILGA into the level of abuse on councillors, their families and business. Over 76% of respondents said they had been abused, which correlated with the statistics of AILG’s own research carried out in 2021 with councillors. Both associations committed to working together to combine experience, expertise and networks to offer resources, training and events to support councillors, and to deliver campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of this issue.

Five men sent forward to Kilkenny Circuit Court on horse tampering charges

Minster Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister for Local Government and Planning, was on hand to close the successful two-day event where he and AILG President Cllr. Fitzpatrick launched AILG’s 2023 Training Brochure which provides tailored training and education programmes to the 949 city and county councillors across the state.