Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council

Comeback Kid Joe Joyful At Re-Election
(Bray People Newspaper - Wednesday 28 May 2014)

‘I’m very happy,’ said Joe Behan on his triumphant return to politics, adding that he will run in the next general election whenever it may be.

Joe’s expertise as school teacher and principal may come in handy in the coming years as some dissent is expected around the table on this new council.

He has form on the council and is also a former TD. Joe lost his seat in the last general election after defecting from Fianna Fáil. At the time he had left the party because of the issue of medical cards for the over 70s.

‘I wasn’t surprised that I lost my seat,’ he said. Caught between a rock and a hard place, anti Fianna Fáil voters thought he might go back to the party while the die-hard party supporters weren’t thrilled he had left.

Now confirmed independent for life, Behan said he intends to be a voice for all the people in the Bray ‘and indeed around County Wicklow.’

He missed politics and was keen to get back to the cut and thrust, however did not feel he was guaranteed a seat. ‘I would never like to be too confident,’ he said. ‘I do believe people want to see someone who will listen to the them.'

And he definitely won’t be going back to party politics. ‘I made my decision then. I just want to be able to deal with people directly. I spent a lot of time in Fianna Fáil with good people but this is a new chapter.’

(Photo courtesy of East Coast FM)