Cathaoirleach defies odds after over 400 days in hospital

In 1949, Tom McDaniel moved from his native Carrickmacross in Monaghan to Kilbeggan to work at Locke’s Distillery as a fitter. He met May Collins from Tubber and they married and raised a family of five sons and two daughters at their home in St Mary’s Avenue, Kilbeggan. Liam McDaniel, the newly elected cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, was third in the family.

"My father wasn’t involved with any political party, but he had strong political views, while my mother was not as interested, Cllr McDaniel recalls. His own interest in politics started when, as a teenager, he went to the homecoming of the newly elected local TD, the late Sean Keegan.

When his father died in 1974, Liam was just 17. Tom Cowley, who succeeded Sean Keegan on the council, and also served as cathaoirleach, was "a good friend and neighbour" to the McDaniel family and helped to foster young Liam’s political interest, taking him on election campaigns.

In 1983, Liam married Anne Linnane from Ballinagore and they built the house in which they still live at Toarlisnamore. "Her family were all strong Fianna Fail supporters as well," Liam said.

Liam and Anne have a son, Thomas who is a garda in Dublin and a former county footballer, and a daughter Nicola, who is married to Stephen Hickey from Ballinea. They have a daughter, Pearl, and live in Mullingar.

Liam worked for Bord na Mona for 42 years and declares that he "enjoyed every minute of it". He started in Rochfortbridge and finished as transport manager in Blackwater Works, Shannonbridge.

"Bord na Mona was a great employer in the Midlands and gave great training, producing exceptional skilled workers," he said. Liam’s father and brother also worked for Bord na Mona and Nicola still works for them as a project manager.

When Paul Daly won a seat in Seanad Éireann in 2016, Liam was invited to contest the co-option convention and subsequently, was selected to take Senator Daly’s council seat. When he was invited to put his name forward, Liam consulted his mother (who has since passed away). She told him he should be honoured to be asked. Liam was selected and three years later retained his seat in the local elections.

"I’m sure my mother and father would have been proud of me being elected cathaoirleach of the council," he said.

When he first entered politics, Liam had the advantage of being well known through the GAA, Bord na Mona and community involvement. He had served the GAA as a player, a county board delegate and chairman of the minor board for three years, and a referee having refereed senior, junior and minor county finals. He was deeply involved in the local community in the greater Ballinagore and Castletown Geoghegan areas and, having grown up in Kilbeggan, he had many connections there too.

In 2021, Liam became ill and went on to spend from October 2021 to December 2022 in hospital in Tullamore and St James’s, Dublin, defying the odds and defeating the dreaded sepsis twice.

Even from his hospital bed, he continued to serve his constituents. As a result of Covid-19, council meetings were held online, so he was able attend. The internet and his phone meant he could continue to work and stay in contact with the outside world when possible.

Liam remembers the encouragement and support he got from his family, friends and council colleagues during that difficult time.

When he got out of hospital, Liam was asked if he would run for cathaoirleach of the council. He admits that he was apprehensive, but he got great encouragement from all the members and from the chief executive, Pat Gallagher and all the staff.

"They have all continued to be very good to me," he said. He is delighted that he was elected unopposed.

Cllr McDaniel acknowledged the support he received on his political journey from senior politicians such as Deputy Robert Troy, Senator Paul Daly and Senator Aidan Davitt. He is loud in his praise of the council executive and staff, without whose support councillors could not carry out their functions.

He also applauded the local press for their coverage of council meetings and events, affording members the opportunity to be heard by those who elected them.

The new cathaoirleach’s golden rule as a local representative is to always do his best for those who seek help and more importantly, to always get back to them with a response.