'I'm back'... Ger elected Castlebar Cathaoirleach after cancer battle

Councillor Ger Deere has been elected unopposed at the Castlebar Municipal District annual general meeting, marking an emotional return just months after completing cancer treatment and entering remission.

The Fine Gael representative was proposed and seconded by party colleagues Cllr Donna Sheridan and Cllr Cyril Burke respectively.

His election comes just five months after he received a shock cancer diagnosis.

Earlier this year, Cllr Deere underwent a six-week hospital treatment programme in Galway for tonsillar and neck cancer. Following the completion of his treatment, he rang the iconic bell at Cancer Care West’s Inis Aoibhinn Lodge in Galway and entered remission.

The meeting marked his return to the Castlebar Municipal District chamber since completing treatment.

When Cllr Deere stood to receive the chain of office from outgoing Cathaoirleach Al McDonnell, he joked “I’m the boss now”, drawing laughter from those in attendance as his colleagues welcomed him back to the chamber.

Thanking his colleagues for entrusting him with the role, he spoke of the friendship and support he had received during a particularly difficult period in his life.

“Last February, when I was diagnosed, I didn’t think I’d be fit for this. I didn’t even know if I would be around. It’s emotional for me to take on this role because [of] the journey I have been on,” he said candidly.

He also paid tribute to his wife Pauline and family for their support throughout his illness, as well as to fellow councillors, the wider Castlebar community, and people from all political backgrounds who had wished him well.

“I’m back," he said, a simple declaration that brought smiles around the chamber.

Looking ahead to his term in office, Cllr Deere outlined several priorities to address the challenges facing the town while building on Castlebar's strengths.

He said he hoped to work closely with the town’s sporting organisations, voluntary groups and community clean-up initiatives to continue improving Mayo’s county town. However, he acknowledged that significant challenges remain.

“Housing is a huge challenge and dereliction. We need to work on that, particularly affordable housing and affordable sites.

“We will have to make some bold decisions regarding traffic congestion,” he said, referencing Gallow’s Hill, Newport Road and the Garryduff area.

“We owe it to the future progress of this town,” he added, noting that any such ‘bold’ decisions would be made in conjunction with council engineers and following consultation with local residents.

Boosting tourism is another priority for the year ahead.

“Lough Lanangh is the jewel in the crown. There is huge potential for it,” he said, outlining ideas including the development of an aqua park and the expansion of the holiday village to accommodate additional camper vans.

The newly elected Cathaoirleach also highlighted concerns over the condition of the Peace Park on the Lannagh Road opposite the old cemetery, where the monument has fallen into disrepair.

“There is an onus on us, before our term is up, to do something with the Peace Park. It is a disgrace the way it has been let go,” he said.

A long-time advocate for environmental initiatives, Cllr Deere said tackling littering would remain a key priority.

Having spent 32 years involved with Castlebar Tidy Towns, he called for stronger enforcement against those illegally dumping rubbish and littering from vehicles.

“There is CCTV down there, we have to go through it and find the people. It’s the only way,” he said. “It is destroying our town.” 

When proposing Cllr Deere for the role, Cllr Sheridan paid tribute to his long-standing commitment to Castlebar and its communities.

Noting that he was first elected to the town council in 2009, she said his dedication to improving the town stretches back more than three decades through his involvement with Castlebar Tidy Towns and a range of voluntary organisations.

“Ger is somebody who loves this town and this district. He is passionate about Castlebar and takes pride in seeing it thrive,” she said.

Cllr Sheridan said Ger’s work as a special needs assistant at Snugboro NS speaks volumes about his character, describing him as a kind, patient and compassionate person with a caring nature.

“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,” she said.

His seconder, Cllr Burke, echoed those sentiments.

“Ger has a great community and civic pride, and that's where the base of his politics came from,” he added.

Cllr Burke was also nominated unopposed as Leas-Cathaoirleach. He said he looked forward to working alongside Cllr Deere and advancing the key projects and priorities outlined for the year ahead.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.