Gill co-opted into Cork County Council

Cork County Council welcomed a new member today with the co-option of George Gill who takes the seat of the late Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy.

Speaking during today’s full meeting of Cork County Council, Cllr Gill described the moment as “bittersweet” and paid tribute to his late colleague who passed away in September.

He said: “It’s an honour of course, but Patrick Gerard was a tireless advocate for West Cork. Going forward I’ll do my best to live up to the standards and the quality of service he provided.”

Cllr Gill came close to being elected to the council in 2019 when he ran alongside Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy in the local elections.

Welcoming the new councillor, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said she was looking forward to working with him and getting to know him.

She said: “I know you’ll do your best for West Cork, just like Patrick Gerard did.”

Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy was himself co-opted to Cork County Council in 2008 and served as county mayor in 2018/2019. His long time party colleague and close friend Cllr Joe Carroll welcomed Cllr Gill to the chamber.

“I’ve known George for maybe, I don’t know, a dozen or 15 years,” said Cllr Carroll.

“He became a very strong member of Fianna Fáil in UCC when he was there. His heart was completely in politics the whole way through.

“Patrick was all our friends. Patrick was a gentleman. We miss him terribly. I miss him every morning I come in here.

“He was one of my best friends,” added the councillor.