Kevin Kiely

For the poet, see Kevin Kiely (poet).
Kevin Kiely
Kiely in 2009 in the robes of the Mayor of Limerick
Mayor of Limerick
In office
2009–2010
Personal details
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Fine Gael (until 2011)

Kevin Kiely is an Irish politician and former Mayor of Limerick from 2009 to 2010.[1] He was made a Peace Commissioner in 1983 by the then Fine Gael Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan.[2] He is a member of Fine Gael.[2]

Career in politics

He was first elected to Limerick City Council in 1985.[2] He was re-elected to the council in June 2009.[2] He is a member of the Governing Authority of the University of Limerick.[2] He is Chairman of Limerick City Council Joint Policing and a former Chairman of Limerick City Council Future Planning.[2] He is married with two children.[2] In November 2009, he called for unemployed European Union nationals to be deported from Ireland.[3] His views led to a debate over racism.[4] This was part of a broader controversy surrounding racist comments from Fine Gael members in Limerick.[5]

In March 2010, he called for a change to the law which bans selling alcohol on Good Friday and Christmas Day, at a time when a rugby match was due to take place in Limerick city.[6] Shortly before leaving office in June 2010, he again was the subject of national news when he called for the re-introduction of capital punishment.[7][8]

Departure from Fine Gael

He left Fine Gael, over the party's failure to select him as a candidate for the 2011 Irish general election. He unsuccessfully ran as an Independent candidate for the constituency of Limerick City.[9]

References

  1. ^ "What I Love about Limerick - Mayor Kevin Kiely - Limerick Leader". Limerickleader.ie. 3 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Governing Authority Membership - University of Limerick - VPAS". 12 June 1981. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Limerick Mayor calls for deportations of unemployed immigrants". Examiner.ie. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Forth: Forward thinking from ireland". Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  5. ^ "FG candidates accused of racism - Limerick Leader". Limerickleader.ie. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Limerick Mayor backs licensing laws changes - RTÉ News". Rte.ie. 6 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  7. ^ Hayes, Kathryn (9 June 2010). "Father of slain man backs call for ballot on death penalty". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  8. ^ Duggan, Barry (2 June 2010). "Limerick mayor wants death penalty restored". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012.
  9. ^ Rabbitts, Nick; Sheridan, Anne (5 February 2011). "Former Limerick mayor Kevin Kiely slams his own party and launches campaign as Independent". Archived from the original on 7 February 2011.