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Bernard marks 30 year
milestone
28.09.09
VETERAN councillor
Bernard McGuinness has been warmly congratulated by
friends and Fine Gael colleagues after marking 30
years as a local politician in Inishowen.
A huge crowd gathered in Ballyliffin on Thursday
night to pay tribute to Cllr McGuinness who was
first elected to Donegal County Council in 1979.
"This was a most enjoyable night attended by
hundreds of Bernard’s neighbours and friends, and by
many of his colleagues in politics and in business.
A great night was had by all," said his colleague,
Deputy Joe McHugh TD. |
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First elected to
Donegal County Council in 1979, Cllr McGuinness was
subsequently re-elected in 1985, 1991, 1999, and
2004. He polled 4,000 votes in the 2002 general
election. He was chairperson of Donegal County
Council in 1994/1995 and was re-elected to the local
authority following the local elections in June this
year when he received 1881 votes. He secured the
second of seven seats in the Inishowen electoral
area. |
He is currently
chairperson of the Fine Gael County Councillors
Group on Donegal County Council, and leads Fine Gael
on the council along with party whip Cllr Terence
Slowey, Glenties.
Bernard is married to secondary school teacher Jan
and the couple have five children. He is a keen
sports enthusiast and is an advocate of sport as a
conduit to youth development and positive addition
to rural life. He is a member of the HSE West Forum
and also works closely with his associates on Derry
City Council and Limavady Borough Council. Cllr
McGuinness is also a member of the North West
Regional Cross-Border Committee. |
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