‘Bittersweet emotion’ for Vivienne Crowley on taking father’s Limerick council seat

A UCC law graduate yesterday spoke of her “bitter sweet” emotions when she was co-opted onto Limerick City and County Council.

Vivienne Crowley, aged 23, was nominated by Fianna Fáil to fill the vacancy created by the sudden death of her father, Cllr Joe Crowley, who collapsed when out canvassing for Deputy Willie O’Dea during the general election.

After her co-option, Cllr Crowley said: “To be nominated to fill the vacancy created by my dad’s death is a bittersweet moment and I only hope I can live up to his reputation for being a passionate and committed councillor. I know he would be overjoyed to see me take his seat and I wish I could tell him all about it. I think he would be so proud. It is an emotional day, but I am really so glad for him and our family.

“This wasn’t on the books, but sad circumstances have led me to being here today. Nonetheless it is an absolute honour. My mum, Christine and two brothers, Andrew and Hugh, gave me their full support — and Andrew warned me not to mess it up as dad would not like that.”

Vivienne hopes her law degree will help her as a politician. She works for a distribution company in Limerick.

“Working on the council will give me a lot of relevant opportunities to develop on my studies,” she said.

Also co-opted onto the council yesterday were Adam Teskey of Fine Gael. The 26-year-old car salesman with Deerpark Motors in Charleville, fills the vacancy created by the election of Cllr Tom Neville to the Dáil.

Joe Pond, from Annacotty, was co-opted to fill the vacancy created by Fianna Fáil’s Shane Clifford, who resigned from the council last year. Cllr Pond, aged 57, a primary school caretaker, was selected at a Fianna Fáil convention at the weekend.