History was made in Donegal on Sunday when the county elected its first openly gay councillor. 

Independent candidate Declan Meehan topped the poll in the three seat Milford electoral area with 1,739 first preferences. 

Mr Meehan, who works as Manager of Milford and District Resource Centre, said he was “humbled” by the support he had received from his neighbours. 

“At a time when we are seeing increasing divisions nationally, Friday’s vote is a ringing endorsement of what we in Donegal all know; our community is welcoming and progressive – we are unified and not divided,” Mr Meehan said. 

“I am humbled to be a part of history today as the first openly gay man elected to public office in Donegal. 

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who came out and voted, to those who worked tirelessly on my campaign and to all those who came before, paving the way for me to stand here today as a proud gay man and a proud member of our community.”

Mr Meehan married local GP Dr Pádraig McGuinness in 2019 and the couple were active in the campaign for a yes vote in the 2015 marriage equality referendum. 

History was also made in Galway over the weekend when Labour's Helen Ogbu won a seat on the city council - becoming the first black woman to hold elected office in the county.

Main image: Declan Meehan. Picture by: The Meehan campaign.