'You'll always be my hero' video call from Australia on last meeting of Laois county councillor

After 17 years as an elected public representative, Laois Fianna Fáil councillor Padraig Fleming got a hugely affectionate farewell at his last meeting in Laois County Council on Monday, March 30.

Cllr Padraig Fleming is reluctantly stepping down early in his fourth term as a councillor,  due to a health issue. Brother to Laois TD Sean Fleming, he was a member of the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. 

In a chamber packed with family, friends, party colleagues and council staff, he was lauded by each councillor and the managers, not just his political skills and ever positive attitude, but for his love of meeting people, snappy dress sense and cups of tea.

Tears were barely held in check when he gave his own final speech, and when he chatted with daughter Stephanie via on video call from Darwin, Australia.

“It is great to listen to everyone, you did a great job Dad. I started off sobbing then started smiling. You’ll always be my hero, I love you Dad,” she said.

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey said he has known Cllr Fleming for all 17 years of his political service.

“Padraig was more than just a public servant. He was a very good friend to everyone and a great mediator. I have known him since 2009 when I was in the housing office. The one word that hasn’t been used yet to describe him is persistent. He came to me with a list of names making representations, and never raised his voice, just issues. The next day he would be back into me with the same list, and again the next. 

“As the Cathaoirleach, he showed not only his skill as a politician but his passion for the role. He was called unexpectedly to speak while in New York, and he spoke for five minutes, it was a masterclass. We are going to miss your easy charm, your enthusiasm and your passion,” the Laois CEO said.

Joe Cunninham, CEO of the LOETB was also there to pay tribute.

“You served a number of times on the board, on the finances, audit and youth committees. Thank you most sincerely for your time, commitment and integrity,” Mr Cunningham said. 

In turn Cllr Fleming praised the CEO as “chief of a great ship sailing positively along”.

Former junior Minister John Moloney said he has known him since the early 1980s.

“We become friends because myself and Sean were on the same ticket. I never liked the word ‘retire’. I don’t apply it to myself or to you,” he said.

Sean Fleming TD said they are from a family of 10.

“We had a good team of canvassers before we left our front door. When Liam Hyland announced he was not going forward for the Dáil, but for Europe, I had an interest in going forward. I approached Padraig and asked did he want to, that he should think about it, in hope he would say no, and he did.

“I wouldn’t have made it to the Dáil without my brothers being my foundation. It’s not retirement, you retired from Glanbia and you’re still going strong, it’s the next phase. On behalf of the family, we are proud of you,” Dep Fleming said.

Cllr Fleming and his wife Catherine receiving gifts from Laois County County Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh, and CEO Michael Rainey, with picture being taken by Laois photographer Michael Scully.

He had been through another meeting of emotional farewells last week for his final Portarlington Graiguecullen district meeting.

In his speech, Cllr Fleming said it felt like a lifetime ago that he was elected in 2009 to represent the then Luggacurran area.

A father of three daughters married to Catherine, he said he began work in Fleming Fireplaces, going on to 41 years in Avonmore, then Glanbia. He was chair of Swan Youth Services for some years.

He listed some of the committees he served on including Laois Offaly ETB, the Dublin Midland Regional Health Forum, Laois Partnership, the Heritage Forum, the Audit and Arts committees, rural water scheme and joint policing committee.

“I had the privilege of watching Laois transform, from the development of town centres, to the preservation of our heritage. It has been an honour to play my part along with the team. I proudly held the position of Cathaoirleach in 2017 and 2024, two big honours.”

“To the people of Luggacurran and the Graiguecullen Portarlington district, thank you for putting your faith in me. To my fellow councillors past and present, you all sit in your seats because you care about Laois. I appreciate the friendships I made along the way.

“My gratitude to my family, Catherine and the entire Fleming family for their support and all my friends and supporters. It has been an honour and a privilege with and for the people of Laois. I enjoyed every moment. I leave this chamber with a heavy heart but a very proud one. I wish my successors the best in the years ahead.”

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All of the councillors paid their own tributes, with presentations including a new pink tie from the “technical group” of non FF and FG councillors, a nod to Cllr Fleming’s love of flamboyant ties.

They praised him for his patience, for being an eternal gentleman, kind and understanding, and for his commitment to his community and county, wishing him well in retirement.

Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly told the tale of canvassing a 40 house estate for Sean’s election, with Padraig and Tom Whelan, dividing up the homes three at a time, only to find when they were done that Cllr Fleming was still in house one, sitting drinking tea and chatting.

“That was you to a T. No doubt if your name was on the ballot paper you’d have been a TD,” he said.

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Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin told him “You’re a thorough gentleman, a stylish dresser.”

“I’ve never had a short phone conversation with you. You were passionate and got your teeth into issues, your perseverance is admirable. We are all going to miss you. Yours are big shoes to fill”.

Watch video of Cllr Fleming's final Laois council farewells here.

Laois Fianna Fáil will vote on a co-opted replacement for Padraig Fleming's seat in the coming weeks.