Honours for Knocknaheeny councillor

A SPECIAL civic reception will be held in Cork City Hall tonight to pay tribute to a councillor battling cancer and who is also marking 25 years in local politics.

Cllr Dave McCarthy, first elected onto the city council in 1985, served as lord mayor in 1997/98.

The Knocknaheeny man represented Fianna Fáil for a number of years but left the party in 2007 after failing to get a nomination to contest that year’s general election.

The married father-of-two, heavily involved in St Vincent’s GAA club, said the highlight of his political career was when he served as lord mayor – which coincided with the arrival of the Tour de France in the city.

The 65-year old is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment at Cork University Hospital.

“I’m happy with the way things are going and I’m feeling good. I’m looking forward to the All Ireland football final and I’ll be up there supporting Cork,” Cllr McCarthy said.

Five years ago, the councillor received a bravery award after rescuing two men who had got into difficulties in the River Lee.

He heard screams as he left a VEC meeting at Cork College of Commerce and ran to their aid, keeping the two men afloat until the emergency services arrived.

Since 1985, he has regularly topped the poll in the city’s North West ward.