Minister takes on role of election director for Limerick mayoral candidate

MINISTER Patrick O’Donovan has been appointed as Fine Gael’s director of elections for Cllr Daniel Butler’s campaign to be Limerick’s first ever directly elected mayor.

The Higher Education minister from Newcastle West will spearhead the campaign for the Limerick City West councillor for the coming seven weeks.

Cllr Daniel Butler said he is delighted to have Mr O’Donovan appointed as his director of elections by the Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.

"I believe this shows the ambition and commitment An Taoiseach Simon Harris has for this role and indeed his belief in me as a candidate.

"Patrick brings considerable experience to the table, having served as a TD for County Limerick since 2011 and is a minister proudly working for all here since 2016. He has fought numerous local and national elections and knows how to get a result. His recent promotion to a senior minister role has been a huge boost to Limerick and it is important we maintain that momentum for Limerick and the region.

“We will be working together with all our councillors, local election candidates from across the county and city and Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell and Senator Maria Byrne to ensure we get out a massive Fine Gael vote on Friday, June 7," said Cllr Butler.

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Mr O’Donovan said he has known Cllr Butler and his family a long time.

"His late father Richie was a great friend of mine, and his mother Bernadette hails from Ardagh - so he has city and county roots. I think he is an excellent choice for Fine Gael to win the directly elected mayor contest on June 7.

“With a decade in elected office already and a term as mayor of Limerick city and county council under his belt, he is a strong and energetic candidate that will deliver for the citizens of Limerick," said Mr O'Donovan.