Midlands councillor who helps families with food steps back from politics on health grounds

Ken Smollen has announced that he will step down as as a county councillor in Offaly on health grounds.

In a post on social media this afternoon, Cllr Smollen, who runs the Ken Smollen Food Appeal, said he had to been ordered to take 'a complete break' by medical professionals.

The former Laois-based Garda who was stationed in Portlaoise, added that he had to push everything else to the back of his mind in order to help his body have the best chance during his treatment. Cllr Smollen said that he was told in May that he had lung cancer. 

He said that he had received great personal satisfaction when being successful in helping to resolve the many problems that people asked for his assistance with.

Cllr Smollen, who contested the 2020 General Election, said that he would be nominating his wife Sandy Feehan-Smollen to take his seat stating that he knew she would do 'a terrific job'.

The KS Food Appeal was founded in November 2016 by Ken Smollen, who was elected to Offaly County Council in the 2019 local elections. Hundreds of families have been helped by the charity since it was set up with many volunteers in Laois, Offaly and other counties getting involved.

It started as a project that helped the homeless of Dublin but would soon focus on the Midlands.

His statement in full reads:

"Major changes that I need to make to ensure we continue to PUT PEOPLE FIRST, ALWAYS, especially the people of the Tullamore Municipal District who trusted me with their vote at the last Local Elections…

"Being told last May that I have lung cancer was a huge shock to me and also to my family. For me personally I know that I’m still in shock at having received what to most people would be a frightening diagnosis.

"I have learned over the last few months that if I’m to have a reasonable chance of recovery I simply have to slow down and that includes staying away from the phone, internet and from meetings. A complete break from everything is what has been ordered by the medical professionals. I have to push everything else to the back of my mind in order to help my body have the best chance during my medical treatment.

"Whilst trying to deal with the problems and issues that affect the people living in this area is something I have always enjoyed doing, I have received great personal satisfaction when being successful in helping to resolve the many problems that people asked for my assistance with. Since being elected as a County Councillor in May 2019 I’m proud of the work I have achieved in many areas of Tullamore Municipal District. However, I now realise that in order to recover from this serious medical condition I must listen to those who know better and take a back seat for now.

"While incapacitated, I do not want to leave any work undone and have taken the difficult decision to resign my position as an Offaly County Councillor.

"At the September meeting of Offaly Co Council I will be requesting that the person I feel would be most qualified and able to continue my work should replace me as one of your County Councillors. I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that I know my wife Sandy Feehan-Smollen will do a terrific job. She has a huge amount of experience as a member of a number of committees and groups both in Tullamore and in Clara for many years. I have always envied her enthusiasm and drive, especially at committee meetings where she always ensured that problems or issues at hand were resolved before the meeting ended, with a “no-nonsense” and common sense approach, no matter how long it took…

"Since my election in 2019 Sandy has always stayed in the background and offered advice when it was most needed and it was always geared to keep me on the right path but the main fact is that she has always stood right beside me and for her invaluable help during that time I am extremely grateful – so who better to replace me as a new Offaly County Councillor? – and when the time is right I will look forward to assisting her in her role!

"Cllrs. Sean O’Brien and Clare Claffey have agreed to Propose and Second her nomination at the Offaly Co Council meeting on 18th September next.

"Finally, as always, thanks very much to all of you for your tremendous support during the last few years. It is certainly my intention to return to local politics as soon as the good man above and YOU, the people of this area allows me to as we must continue to PUT PEOPLE FIRST, ALWAYS!