Enniscorthy’s last ever Town Council Chairman Cllr. Pat Cody

SERIOUS ILLNESS did not prevent Cllr Pat Cody from leaving his hospital bed yesterday to make history by becoming the last ever Chairman of Enniscorthy Town Council.

Cllr. Cody, who moved to Enniscorthy over 30 years ago from Kilkenny, has received the full backing of the man he has replaced, Cllr. Keith Doyle. “All of the members are fully behind Pat and will be supporting him,” the Fianna Fail councillor explained to The Echo.

Coincidentally, Cllr. Doyle is the son of the last Labour Party member to Chair the Council, the late Andy Doyle.

Enniscorthy Town Council is one of 80 that will be abolished by Environment Minister Phil Hogan in a bid to reduce the cost of local government.

Cllr. Cody is well known in Enniscorthy as a straight-talking councillor who works tirelessly for his constituents. Since his election to Wexford County Council in 2009, the Cherryorchard man has campaigned on issues such as housing, education, jobs, health services and disability rights. A former nurse in St. Senan’s Hospital, Enniscorthy, he has been to the fore in developing and enhancing Community Mental Health Services in Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford.

He said last night: “It is a great feeling to be a part of history. This is a proud moment, on behalf of all those who showed confidence in me and my party, The Labour Party in the 2009 election.”

He proclaimed that his future aspiration is to continue working tirelessly on behalf of all the people of Enniscorthy, with his main focus on public satisfaction and completion of projects such as the Vineger Hill Development and the Sports Complex/Running Track for Cherryorchard.

“While I can’t lay claim to have been born here – I am proud of my roots as a Kilkenny man –  I can assure you that my chest is filled with as much passion for Enniscorthy having come here to my adopted home where I pursued my career in nursing for over 30 years,” he added.

For full story, see this week’s Echo]