Press release from

Mary Wallace TD

24th May 2010 

Presentation by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen to former Councillor’s

Oliver Brooks, Conor Tormey and James Mangan

Dunshaughlin area TD Mary Wallace commended Oliver, Conor and Jim for their work over the years as public representatives. She also gave special mention to Ann, Kathleen and Jane as the great women who supported their husbands as they served the public. The forty years service to the public was recognised by An Taoiseach at a function in Dail Eireann last Wednesday.

 Former Dunshaughlin Councillor Oliver Brooks

Oliver Brooks and his wife Ann both hail originally from Roscommon, Oliver was co-opted to Meath County Council in 1997 when Mary Wallace T.D. was appointed Minister of State to the Department of Justice.  Oliver was then re-elected onto Meath County Council in 1999 and again in 2004 and altogether served with distinction on Meath County Council for 12 years.

Oliver was Chairman of Meath County Council in 2004 and was directly involved in the delivery of improved infrastructure for Dunshaughlin including the new bypass, the new sewerage scheme and the water reservoir. The Garda Station was refurbished, the old Church converted to a library and the new Health Centre was built which was officially opened by Brian Cowan as Minister for Health.

Former Ashbourne Councillor Conor Tormey

Conor Tormey, was first elected to Meath County Council in 1991. Conor was re-elected to Meath County Council in 1999 and served with distinction on Meath County Council until 2004, a total of 13 years.

Conor was also Chairman of Meath County Council in 2000 / 2001 and also served as Chairman on the Local Area Council.

While Conor was Chairman of the Council he formally opened the Meath County Council Office in Ashbourne in 2001, which was the start of the one-stop-shops.

Conor was directly involved in the negotiations to provide Ashbourne with a state of the art library which is being used today by 5,000 readers and the significant €6 million development at Ashbourne/Donaghmore GAA is directly attributable to both Conor and Kathleen’s huge work for the club involved in the sale of the original lands and re-investment of funding in the new clubhouse, securing the new lands via the Development Plan and constant representation via Mary Wallace for lottery funding.

 Former Rathfeigh Councillor James Mangan

James Mangan was first elected to Meath County Council in 1985.  After James lost by 1 single vote in the 1991 local elections he was then re-elected 1999 and served until 2009 - a total 15 years service on Meath County Council.

Between 1991 and 1999 James was vice-chairperson of the then North Eastern Health Board and thus he has given 25 years service in public life.  

James was also Chairman of Dunshaughlin Comhairle Ceantair from 1983 to 1985.

James shared the concerns of Dunshaughlin Comhairle Ceantair when the four Cumanns of Rathfeigh, Skryne, Garlow Cross and Cushinstown were moved into the Navan area, although the good news was that James and the four Cumann remained an intrinsic part of the Mary Wallace designated area and team. In working with Mary Wallace, James achieved significant improvements to funding for the county road structure that was being decimated during the construction of the M3 motorway. He also worked with Mary Wallace on bringing the statue of St. Patrick back to the Hill of Tara and the establishment of the Interpretive Centre to the Church on the Hill. He was delighted to see progress in schools in Cushinstown, Skryne and Rathfeigh and the improvements progressed this year for Lismullen School.

Ends