Long serving Kilkenny councillor steps away from local politics
From this week's Callan Notes
The local elections saw the retirement of Matt Doran after 20 years of public service, having been first elected in 2004 for the Callan electoral area, he replaced fellow parishioner and party member Jimmy Brett who had served for three terms on Kilkenny County Council. Matt joined Liam Aylward and Tom Maher and was re-elected in 2009 with Tom and Billy Ireland.
In 2014 Matt was faced with a tough challenge in the new City West area for six seats where he topped the poll and was joined by Kathleen Funchion from the neighbouring Callan parish. The following year another electoral area change saw him in the Callan Thomastown area he was joined by another Callan neighbour Joe Lyons.
Over the period of 20 years Matt served the Council, its committees and the many communities at all levels and most recently was unanimously elected Cathaoirleach of the Callan Thomastown Municipal Area in 2022.