Long-serving Mayo Councillor Seamus Weir is set to retire from public life
Long-serving Mayo independent Councillor Seamus Weir has announced he will not be contesting next June's local election.
The Knockmore-based representative, who was first elected to the authority in 1999 as a Fine Gael candidate, said he reached the decision following long and careful consideration.
He told The Connaught Telegraph: "It's never easy to let go of something that has been a huge part of your life.
"But after serving five terms on the council spanning 25 years, I believe the time is right for me to retire and create an opportunity for somebody else to make their mark.
"I have very much enjoyed my years of service on Mayo County Council and Ballina Municipal District and I will depart following the May meetings with very fond memories.
"I was proud to have represented my community over such a long time span and I am grateful to all those who placed their confidence in me to serve them to the best of my ability.
"I am now looking forward to the next phase of my life and spending more time with my family as well as on the farm."
Aged 71, Seamus enjoyed a distinguished Gaelic football career with Mayo and Knockmore before entering political life as a Fine Gael candidate in the Ballina electoral area ahead of the 1999 local elections, joining Ernie Caffrey and Eddie Staunton on the party ticket.
After polling 1,260 first preferences, he took the fourth seat in the six-seat district as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won three seats each.
He was re-elected in the 2004 and 2009 local elections but he resigned from Fine Gael in 2013 when he fell out with the party over its support for a plan by Eirgrid to build a series of overhead pylons in Knockmore and surrounding north Mayo communities as part of a major investment in the electricity network.
Councillor Weir was vindicated in his decision an agreement was reached to install the lines underground rather than via overhead pylons.
His firm stand on the pylons issue also served him in good stead in the 2014 local election when he comfortably retained his seat when running as an independent for the first time.
He was also returned to office in the 2019 local election, securing the fifth seat in a tight six-seat battle.
During his time in office, he served as cathaoirleach of the council twice and was cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District on three occasions.
He will leave with his head held high, having consistently fought hard in the local corridors of power for the parishes he represented.