‘I’ve enjoyed serving my community’ – Charlie will not run in next elections
LONGTIME Tallaght politician Charlie O’Connor has announced he will not seek re-election at the Local Elections in June, citing personal reasons.
The Fianna Fáil councillor has been an elected politician representing Tallaght since he became a councillor in 1991, and he served as a TD from 2002 to 2011 before being re-elected to the council.
Cllr O’Connor was involved in the board that successfully pushed for the development of a hospital in Tallaght, and also has a strong association with Tallaght Stadium and Shamrock Rovers.
Speaking to The Echo on Wednesday morning, Cllr O’Connor said his decision to step down at the next Local Election came about after careful consideration and discussions with his family.
“I’ve had to give it a lot of careful thought,” he said.
“I have spoken to my family, and thought about it more and more and came to a decision that this is what needed to be done.
Cllr Charlie O’Connor (then TD) appeared in The Echo in April 2007 with Taoiseach Bertie Aherne
“I intend to remain on the council and serve out my term which will end with the Local Elections and I will continue to carry on with my responsibilities.
“I will continue to chair the housing SPC, I will continue to represent the council on the Regional Health Forum and carry on my work with the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force and on the board of Trustus.
“There will be no cut back, I will continue on as ever, I will be available to the community as ever, and when the elections come, I will step down and continue with other stuff in the community.”
When asked about what he enjoyed most about being a local politician, Cllr O’Connor said he enjoyed every aspect of it and felt proud to have represented Tallaght for over three decades.
“I have to say, I’ve enjoyed everything about what I’ve done,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed serving my community in various respects both in the council and the Dáil.
“I’ve no doubt this announcement will get a mixed response, but I’m proud of my work. “I was first elected 33 years ago, and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved on behalf of my community.”
Cllr Charlie O’Connor (then TD) appeared in The Echo in November 2006 holding his mobile phone, after he received a death threat
Stepping down will be an emotional affair for Cllr O’Connor, but he’s confident that he’s made this decision at the right time and for the right reasons.
“It’ll be different for me,” he said.
“I’ll be quite emotional when this news breaks, but I hope people will understand this is what it came to and it’s a step I had to take at this point.”
He added: “I’d like to thank the people of Tallaght and the wider constituency for all of their support over the long number of years, and to acknowledge the help and support of my fellow public representatives and indeed the council officials.”
