Declan Meehan makes history as Donegal’s first out gay councillor
Declan Meehan has made history as the first out gay man to be elected as a public representative in Donegal. The news was confirmed on Sunday, June 9, as the results of the local and European elections continue to unfold across the country.Meehan was the first councillor to get one of the three available seats in the Milford LEA district.
An independent councillor, he topped the poll with 2,074 votes, after the Irish public had their say on Friday, June 7.He celebrated the victory alongside family, friends and supporters in Aura Leisure Centre, kissing his husband Dr Pádraig McGuinness when the result was announced.
The pair wed in 2019 after years of campaigning across the island of Ireland for Marriage Equality.Speaking about the significance of his election, Declan Meehan said: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who came out and voted, to those who worked tirelessly on my campaign and to all those who came before, paving the way for me to stand here today as a proud gay man and a proud member of our community.” He added: “I am proud to be elected today to represent the interests of all people in our local area.
At a time when we are seeing increasing divisions nationally, Friday’s vote is a ringing endorsement of what we in Donegal all know; our community is welcoming and progressive – we are unified and not divided.” Declan Meehan’s campaign championed community development, social inclusion and rural regeneration.