By Michelle Crean

A Muckross man has this week said that he has "colossal boots to fill" when he takes over the political seat recently vacated by his uncle.

For almost 40 years Michael Gleeson has been a voice of the people of Killarney and passionately fought issues such as the local environment. The veteran councillor recently made the shock announcement that he was quitting politics almost immediately.

This week it became known that his nephew, primary school teacher John O’Donoghue will be co-opted to Kerry County Council to take his uncle's seat on June 21 at the next Council meeting.

John (37) from Gortdromakerrie and a teacher at Loughquittane National School which is only a mile over the road from his homeplace, was selected by Kerry Independent Alliance to go forward. He told the Killarney Advertiser that although he's looking forward to the challenge, it'll be daunting to fill his uncle's boots.

John was born in 1983 the same year Michael entered politics.

He is a coach and former player with Spa GAA Club and currently works on their admin team. He is also delegate to the County Board. He was chairman of Kerry Independent Alliance for many years and also canvassed on his uncle Michael's behalf which has given him a good political grounding.

"I've got a good, if not daunting start," John told the Killarney Advertiser.
"I've colossal boots to fill. I've always had an interest in politics and I've a good idea of what's involved, and it's been great to be able to pick his brain."

He added that he hopes to hit the ground running and has many ideas, some similar to Michael's.

"I don't want to go in as a de facto puppet but I would share a lot of his beliefs such as the environment."

Top of John's agenda will be to continue Michael's work on the Ballycasheen and Coolcaslagh junctions, pursuing an off road walking trail between Torc Waterfall and Dinis, parking at Blue Pool and also pushing for the GAA museum for Killarney.