Aíne Smith co-opted to seat vacated by late father

Co-option event chaired by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.

Aíne Smith, daughter of the late councillor Sean Smith, has been co-opted to the seat vacated on Cavan County Council by her father who passed away in January.

She was nominated for the position, uncontested, at a well attended event at Belturbet’s Seven Horseshoes Hotel last night, Thursday, March 3.

Mrs Smith, a married mother of two and secondary school teacher at St Mogue’s College in Bawnboy, was the only person to enter their name for co-option by the party set deadline of February 24.

The co-option event was chaired by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.

It was also attended by local Oireachtas members- Mrs Smith’s uncle Brendan Smith TD, and Senators Diarmuid Wilson and Robbie Gallagher.

Fianna Fail County councillors in attendance included Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council John Paul Feeley, Patricia Walsh, Philip Brady, and Aiden Fitzpatrick.

Members of the Smith family were also present.

She will be formally co-opted at the next meeting of Cavan County Council, March 13.

The late Cllr Smith passed away on Sunday, January 15, after an illness bravely borne.

He was first elected to Cavan County Council in 1979, representing the Belturbet Electoral Area, and was re-elected on seven successive occasions since, serving as Cathaoirleach twice (1989-90 and 2003-04).

His daughter Áine becomes the youngest female member of the council, but present adds further balance to the gender dynamic- with five females now sitting in the chamber.

Speaking to the Celt, Mrs Smith described the co-option as “bittersweet”.

“I would have preferred this hadn’t come so soon obviously. Its bittersweet, definitely, but it is a huge honour. I know I have very big boots to fill, and I am so grateful to all the members who nominated me and have encouraged me to go for this. I’m proud too in a way that people have that trust in me.”