Published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009 5:00pm

Three former members return to Cavan VEC

The three successful members who have been nominated to Cavan VEC as community representatives have served on the committee previously.

Mary Brady and Freddie Kettyle both of Fine Gael, who lost their county council seats in the local elections last summer, are the new community representatives sanctioned by Fine Gael at Cavan County Council, while Cllr. Niamh Smyth took the third community rep seat put forward by Fianna Fáil.

The unsuccessful community candidates included long-time VEC member and former FF County Councillor Clifford Kelly of Kingscourt; Breda O'Brien from Cootehill; Des Crossan, Cavan town; Owen Cunningham of Kingscourt; and Mick Mulvey from Butlersbridge.

Ms. Brady is looking forward to returning to the post. "County Cavan VEC is committed to providing a comprehensive range of full and part-time education, training and support services to persons of all ages. This is necessary to meet the demands of the economic, technological and cultural needs of the community. With the ongoing development and expansion of Cavan VEC it is providing an important role in education."

Many people who have found themselves unemployed during this recession are now returning to study. As a member of Cavan VEC, Mary Brady is looking forward to this ongoing progress and development. In particular, she wants to see broadband being rolled out in all rural areas throughout Co. Cavan.

Following her appointment, Ms. Brady thanked the Mullahoran Apostolic Society, the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) who nominated her and the FG councillors who supported her bid to sit on the VEC.

Cllr. Niamh Smyth topped the poll in the Bailieborough Local Electoral Area and previously served on the VEC as a community representative. Commenting on her re-appointment, she said: "It's a great honour and privilege to be re-elected to Cavan VEC. I hope that I can contribute in a meaningful and positive way to the activities of the VEC to benefit the people of Cavan and in particular my local community."

She hopes to bring her qualifications and experience in education to bear in her role on the VEC. Cllr. Smyth has taught previously in Ballyfermot Youthreach and St. Paul's Secondary School (Dublin). She then took on the role of arts education organiser for Monaghan VEC for two years.

The Bailieborough-based representative is currently the curator of the Bailieborough Arts Centre at the Wesleyan Chapel. Cllr. Smyth said that over the next five years, she will bring some new ideas to Cavan VEC based on her experience to date.

Also speaking following his appointment, Freddie Kettyle said: "As a former member of the Board of Management, of Virginia College, and a former member of Cavan VEC, I have gained a good knowledge of the education system, here in Cavan." He hoped this would give him the ability to make a good and constructive contribution to the development and running of Cavan VEC.

With his experience Mr. Kettyle hoped to support and contribute in a positive way in making Cavan VEC the best in the country.

Concluding he thanked his proposers, Billis Development Association, and his former colleagues on Cavan County Council for their support in voting him back onto Cavan VEC.

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