Dessie Larkin
| Dessie Larkin | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Letterkenny, County Donegal |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Other political affiliations | (previously Independent Fianna Fáil) |
| Parents |
James Larkin Eileen McGinley |
| Residence | Letterkenny |
| Alma mater | Saint Eunan's College |
| Occupation | Town councillor |
Dessie Larkin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is a member of Donegal County Council representing the Letterkenny electoral area. He serves as the County Council's chair of the Planning & Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.[1] He is the highest paid councillor in Ulster.[2]
Larkin was the youngest ever chairperson elected to Donegal VEC. He is also a member of Letterkenny Town Council.[3]
Biography
Born and reared in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Larkin was educated at Saint Eunan's College in Letterkenny. He has worked in Unifi and been Chairman of the Peace III Partnership Board and Chairman of the Donegal County Development Board. He is married with four children.[4]
First elected to the Town Council as a member of Independent Fianna Fáil in 1999, he also served as Town Mayor.[5] He was elected as Chairman of the County Council on 27 June 2005, which resulted in him representing Donegal throughout the country. He served in this position for one year. Until 30 June 2005 he was Mayor of Letterkenny.[6] Larkin joined Fianna Fáil in 2006 alongside Niall Blaney.[2]
Larkin v. the Football Association of Ireland
During a football match played on 3 October 1993, Larkin suffered severe burning to his scrotum and inner thighs. In 2006, he sued the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). His injuries resulted from the lime used to mark the football pitch burning his scrotum and inner thighs.[7]
The burning occurred when Larkin was playing a soccer match for Bonagee Celtic Football Club in the FAI Junior Cup. Larkin recalled the lack of changing or showering facilities. He removed his football shorts only to notice "white stuff" in his shorts. His skin was also inflamed. After an uncomfortable drive home, Larkin applied Sudocream to his testicles, took painkillers and went to bed. The judge in the case was told there were no instructions from the FAI regarding the amount of lime and water to be included in the mix. The judge awarded Larkin €9000, also stating that the onus was on the FAI to ensure players were sufficiently warned to take precautions to prevent such incidents happening.[8]
Expenses and appointment controversies
Former environment minister John Gormley illegally appointed Larkin to the Private Residential Tenancies Board in 2008.[9] Larkin was also one of the few public figures who urged against a second-term as President of Ireland for Mary McAleese.[10]
Donegal County Council and several media outlets, including Highland Radio, received documentation alleging Larkin was involved in irregularities in expenses payments.[11]
References
- ↑ "Membership of Strategic Policy Committees".
- 1 2 Sheahan, Fionnan (3 August 2006). "Top council earner to join Blaney back in FF ranks". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 3 August 2006.
- ↑ "Fianna Fáil Councillors for Donegal North East".
- ↑ Ní Chathail, Caoimhe (29 June 2012). ""My Donegal" – with Mayor of Letterkenny Dessie Larkin". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ↑ "Dessie Larkin". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Congratulations to Cllr Dessie Larkin". Damien Blake. 27 June 2005. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2005.
- ↑ "Councillor gets €9,000 from FAI for lime burns". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). 2 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2006.
- ↑ Heaney, Kate (3 February 2006). "Ex-mayor gets €9,000 over burns to scrotum". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 3 February 2006.
- ↑ Molony, Senan (10 October 2008). "Humiliation for Gormley over posts". Irish Independent (Independent News & Media). Retrieved 10 October 2008.
- ↑ "President has to be elected by the people". The People. 26 September 2004. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2004.
- ↑ "Cllr Larkin will fully co-operate with Council over expenses claims". Highland Radio. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2012.