Mayo councillor overcomes cancer to take chain of county town
Fine Gael councillor Ger Deere was elected Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District five months after a cancer diagnosis
A MAYO councillor has overcome a battle with cancer to be elected the Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District.
Castlebar-based Fine Gael councillor Ger Deere was elected unopposed as the new Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District just five months after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Cllr Deere underwent treatment for tonsil and neck cancer after a surprise diagnosis in February and successfully completed a six-week course of treatment in Galway before ringing the symbolic bell at Cancer Care West in April.
In his first meeting since his cancer diagnosis, Cllr Deere was elected as the Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District having served as leas-Cathaoirleach for the previous 12 months.
Speaking after his election, Cllr Derre said that after he got the diagnosis at the beginning of the year, he did not know if he would be in the position to become the Cathaoirleach and thanked everyone for their support over the last number of months.
“ Look, I just want to thank you all for your support. Last February when I was diagnosed with cancer I didn't think I would be fit for this or even know whether it would be around,” he told the AGM of the Castebar Municipal District this afternoon.
“So it's emotional for me to take on this role because of the journey I've been on. I wouldn't have got through it without, obviously, Pauline [his wife] and the family, but also all your support and the people around Castlebar.
“It was just amazing the support I got from people from all political persuasions and people that didn't even know me.
“I can't thank you and people enough for their support of me over the last couple of months. It got me through it, and onwards and upwards. I intend to make up for a lot of lost ground,” he said.
Cllr Deere was proposed for the role by his party colleague Donna Sheridan who said that it gave her great pleasure to propose him to take over the role as Cathoirleach from Fianna Fáil councillor Al McDonnell.
She said that his commitment to Castlebar has been a lifelong one having first been elected to Castlebar Town Council in 2009 and then as a member of Mayo County Council in 2019. She added that he is passionate about the town and takes pride in seeing it succeed and this is evident through his work with Castlebar Tidy Towns and other voluntary groups.
“Whether it's in your day job [as a Special Needs Assistant], in tidy towns or as a public rep, Ger has always been somebody who looks after others. The last year hasn't been easy for Ger or those closest to him, but if there's one thing we've all seen, it's his strength, determination, and his positive spirit.
“Like so many people in the community, I was delighted to see him cut the ribbon at the Relay for Life here in Castlebar. A simple moment, but a special one, and a reminder to us all of the resilience, courage, and pride, strength of Ger.
“I sincerely hope that today marks the beginning of a new chapter for you, one filled with health, happiness, and I don't think anyone deserves it more than you. I know you'll wear this chain with pride and humility and dedication that you've shown throughout your years of public service. You are a new fantastic ambassador for Castlebar and the MD,” she said.
Her proposal was seconded by Cllr Cyril Burke who said he has known him for many years and described him as a good friend and colleague.
“I think we'd all agree that Ger has a great community and civic pride and that's where the base of this politics came from. It was always involved in Foroige and all the different organizations. I think, any group that ever emerged from Castlebar he was involved in it in some way even if it was only to give a helping hand in any way that he could,” he said.
Outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr McDonnell said that there was no doubt amongst anyone that Cllr Deere has the energy to carry out his duties as Cathaoirleach and today was a celebration on many fronts.
“It is not about [becoming Cathaoirleach] that we are celebrating here today. We are celebrating the fact that you are here and you are in good shape and you have come through a very traumatic period in your life. I think it is a source of encouragement to all of us that you can come through all that relatively unscathed and we wish you the best of luck in the future,” he said.
Cllr Deere was congratulated by the other councillors in the municipal district who all said they were delighted he was with them again and wished him many years of health and happiness.