Cllr. Toireasa Ferris to ‘Step Back Completely’ from Politics

Cllr. Toiréasa Ferris delivering the oration at the July 10th 1921 commemoration at the monument with local cumann members, Denny McSweeney and John Breen at Rice’s Height in Castleisland in 2017. ©Photograph: John Reidy 8-7-2017

The Sinn Féin local and European election team pictured on Main Street in Castleisland in 2009. Included are, from left: Áine Ferris, Sarah Stack, John Breen, Pádraig O’Sullivan, Toireasa Ferris, Euro Election candidate; Con Walsh, Kerry County Council candidate; Cianán Ferris and Anne Walsh. ©Photograph: John Reidy 4-4-2009

Séamus Nagle, Castlemaine (centre) pictured after he placed a wreath on the monument with: John Buckley, Sinn Féin Árd Comhairle; Cllr. Damian Quigg, Mr. Nagle, Martin Ferris, TD and Cllr. Toireasa Ferris at the Ballykissane Pier Tragedy 99th anniversary commemoration in 2015 . ©Photograph: John Reidy 4-4-2015

Cllr. Toiréasa Ferris pictured in Knocknagoshel with canvassers: Jerry Savage (left) and Brendy Bonn, Ballymacelligott and Tim Leahy, Brosna. ©Photograph: John Reidy 14-5-2004

Cllr Toireasa Ní Fhearaoisa speaking at Hartnett’s Gate, Castleisland in October 2004 at the commemoration of Jeremiah O’Leary. ©Photograph: John Reidy 2-10-2004

Cllr. Toireasa Ferris with her father, Martin Ferris, TD in Castleisland after a clinic in the Ivy Leaf Art Centre in April 2004. ©Photograph: John Reidy 3-4-2004

Cllr. Toiréasa Ferris addressing the gathering at the 2016 Bonn-Doherty Sinn Féin Cumann 1921 Commemoration with her little boy, Seanadh in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 22-7-2016

Mayor Talk: Radio Kerry presenter, Weeshie Fogarty chats to the recently elected Mayor of Kerry, Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa at the Mayor of Tarbert by the local GAA club in the Swanky Bar in July 2005. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-7-2005

In a second political thunderbolt in just over three months, Cllr Toireasa Ferris has announced that she has decided to ‘step back completely’ from politics to try and recharge her batteries.

“I guess 16 hard years has resulted in burn-out,” Cllr. Ferris wrote in a message to friends and supporters last evening.

One Hundred Percent

“Thank you so much for all your help and support and I hope to give the same to whoever you decide to replace me with.

“I have a girl going into secondary school and if I can’t give the job I was elected to do one hundred percent I see no point in trying to do it with anything less.” said Cllr. Ferris.

Career in Politics

“I’m not ruling out a return to politics at a later date as I’ve learned never to rule any possibility in or out.

“I remember saying in a media interview that I’d never even consider a career in politics and I found myself sitting in the Kerry County Council chamber less than five years later,”

Cllr. Ferris was co-opted into the Kerry County Council seat held by her father, Martin Ferris, TD when the move against the dual, councillor / TD mandate was signed into law in 2003.

Tipped for Dáil Éireann

She retained that seat in all subsequent elections and was strongly tipped to take her father’s Dáil seat at the next general election as one of the young, rising stars of Sinn Féin.

However, she caused something of a shock in local and national political circles when she announced at a post local and European elections meeting in Kerins O’Rahilly GAA Club centre in Tralee last June that she was withdrawing her candidature for personal reasons.