Bangladeshi national set to be elected to leadership role in Limerick
A BIT of local history could be made today, with Bangladeshi national, councillor Azad Talukder expected to be elected to a civic leadership role in Limerick.
The Fianna Fail member, based at Steamboat Quay in the city centre, became the first Muslim councillor in Limerick upon his election at the 2019 local election.
Under a deal agreed at the start of this council term four years ago, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have come together to share the top positions on the local authority.
If this pact holds together, Cllr Talukder will become the fifth and final leader of the metropolitan district before Limerick goes to the polls next summer.
If he is successful, it’ll be the first time someone from Limerick’s immigrant community has held a leadership position – although Cllr Talukder was the Deputy Mayor to Cllr Michael Collins in 2020.
The 54-year-old father-of-two is a leading member of Limerick’s Muslim community and runs a number of businesses in the city.
Cllr Talukder, known as Jackie to his friends, came to Limerick in 2000.
He initially worked at Stables Bar in University of Limerick.
He’s worked with Fianna Fail since 2004, initially with former TD Peter Power, aiding the migrant community. Cllr Talukder’s father was also a politician, serving his home city of Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital.