Treble joy: Councillors extend warm congratulations to three Longford Senators

There were warm congratulations extended to three county Longford men who were recently elected as senators to Seanad Éireann at last week's local authority meeting.

Cathaoirleach Mark Casey stated it was 'absolutely fantastic' to have two new senators Fianna Fáil's Joe Flaherty and Fine Gael's Paraic Brady in the county and there was best wishes from a multitude of local representatives.

Cllr Casey also sent best wishes to Ardagh native Joe Conway, a former Mayor of Waterford, who was also successful and secured a seat in the Upper House.

Down Memory Lane | Gallery of stunning Longford graduation pictures from 2011

"We have Joe Flaherty, a public representative for the last five years in the Dáil and he is off to the senate and as for Padraic Brady, he pulled out all the stops," Cllr Casey added.

He praised the achievement of the Drumlish native who was elected on the 'Agricultural Panel'.

Also Read: RIP: Longford community heartbroken by death of dedicated volunteer Shane Lawlor

"It was an outstanding performance and I know there were cross party votes, which I appreciated and it was great to see.”

Cllr Casey said there is now wonderful national representation for Longford and he could recall a time when the county had no TDs or senator.

Also read: Proud: Longford Senator Paraic Brady delighted to be inside gates of Leinster House to represent farmers

"There are now five TDs representing the county (in Longford-Westmeath), three of them are ministers, four senators, one MEP and an outstanding mayor," he quipped.

"To Joe and Paraic the best of luck and I know we will be calling on them, they are friends of ours and I know they will put Longford first and it's great.”

Cllr Casey also congratulated newly elected Senator Joe Conway, who is a county Longford native based in Tramore, county Waterford and he described him as a good friend.

Also read: Perseverance pays off: Unprecedented for one of the smallest counties Longford to have three Senators

"He is a good independent man, he's a good Longfordian, current mayor of Tramore and he got into the senate in his third attempt and I want to wish him and his family all the best," he added.

Also Read: Huge milestone: Over €1m is being pumped into six exciting Longford tourism projects

Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross congratulated Senator Brady and stated his party colleague is a great character who is very personable and reliable.

"He went across the country and he exceeded our expectations," he said. "It's great for Longford, it's great for us and we are all friends," he added.

Also read: Longford Garda leaves the army for a more community based role

Cllr Ross also sent his congratulations to Senator Flaherty.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Mick Cahill and Independent Cllr Turlough McGovern also congratulated Senator Flahery and Senator Brady on their success. "With a TD in Longford and Michael Healy-Rae over forestry I think we're going to go places," said Cllr McGovern. "Hopefully we will anyway, we have good pulling power up there."