Name Ian McGarvey Role Politician | Political party Independent Party Independent politician | |
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Ireland s oldest councillor ian mcgarvey 83
Ian McGarvey (born 1930s) is a politician who is Ireland's oldest public representative either side of the island's border. He is a member of Donegal County Council, representing the Letterkenny Electoral Area.
Due to his age (he is in his eighties) he is often portrayed as an underdog, "They're always writing me off. I don't worry about that", he once said after being re-elected. He has a special interest in the elderly, and has attracted attention after describing cuts to their care as a form of "euthanasia".
McGarvey has lived at Moorfield in Ramelton, County Donegal, for more than 50 years. In April 2013, in the early hours, his home was attacked with stones and with spray, prompting police intervention.
Aged 82, McGarvey became Ireland's oldest Mayor and Donegal County Council's first Independent Mayor in June 2013, succeeding Frank McBrearty, Jnr. Aged 85, he became Ireland's oldest ever general election candidate at the 2016 election.