Dessie Larkin

Dessie Larkin (c. 1970[note 1] – 18 March 2019) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.[3] He was a member of Donegal County Council representing the Letterkenny electoral area from 1999 to 2014.[4] He served as the County Council's chair of the Planning & Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.[5] He was the highest paid councillor in Ulster.[6]

Dessie Larkin
Personal details
Bornc. 1970
Letterkenny, County Donegal
Died18 March 2019
County Donegal, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyFianna Fáil
Other political
affiliations		Independent Fianna Fáil
SpouseMary Larkin
Children4
Parent(s)James Larkin
Eileen McGinley
ResidenceLetterkenny
EducationSt Eunan's College

Larkin was the youngest ever chairperson elected to Donegal VEC. He was also a member of Letterkenny Town Council.[7]

Biography

Born and raised in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Larkin was educated at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny.[8] He has worked in Unifi and been Chairman of the Peace III Partnership Board and Chairman of the Donegal County Development Board. He was married with four children.[9]

First elected to the Town Council as a member of Independent Fianna Fáil in 1999, he also served as Town Mayor.[10] He was elected as Chairman of the County Council on 27 June 2005, which resulted in him representing Donegal throughout the country. He served in this position for one year. Until 30 June 2005 he was Mayor of Letterkenny.[11] Larkin joined Fianna Fáil in 2006 alongside Niall Blaney.[6]

He died on 18 March 2019.[1][2]

Larkin v. the Football Association of Ireland

During a football match played on 3 October 1993, Larkin suffered severe burning to his scrotum and inner thighs. In 2006, he sued the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). His injuries resulted from the lime used to mark the football pitch burning his scrotum and inner thighs.[12]

The burning occurred when Larkin was playing a soccer match for Bonagee Celtic Football Club in the FAI Junior Cup. Larkin recalled the lack of changing or showering facilities. He removed his football shorts only to notice "white stuff like Alka-Seltzer" in his shorts. His skin was also inflamed. After an uncomfortable drive home, Larkin applied Sudocream to the affected area, took painkillers and went to bed. The judge in the case was told there were no instructions from the FAI regarding the amount of lime and water to be included in the mix. The judge awarded Larkin €9,000, also stating that the onus was on the FAI to ensure players were sufficiently warned to take precautions to prevent such incidents happening.[13]

Expenses and appointment controversies

Former environment minister John Gormley illegally appointed Larkin to the Private Residential Tenancies Board in 2008.[14]

Donegal County Council and several media outlets, including Highland Radio, received documentation alleging Larkin was involved in irregularities in expenses payments.[15]

Notes
  1. News coverage at the time of his death disagrees on whether he was 48 or 49. His birth year could be 1969, 1970, or 1971.[1][2]

References
  1. "Letterkenny stunned at sudden death of Dessie Larkin". Donegal News. 18 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  2. Stephen (22 March 2019). "A town of tears as Dessie Larkin is laid to rest". Donegal Daily. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. "Tributes flow in for proud letterkenny man Dessie Larkin". Donegal Daily. 19 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  4. "Dessie Larkin". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  5. "Membership of Strategic Policy Committees". Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  6. Sheahan, Fionnan (3 August 2006). "Top council earner to join Blaney back in FF ranks". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  7. "Fianna Fáil Councillors for Donegal North East". Archived from the original on 12 April 2008.
  8. "Update: Funeral arrangements for the late Dessie Larkin, well known former public representative". Donegal Now. 18 March 2019. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  9. Ní Chathail, Caoimhe (29 June 2012). ""My Donegal" – with Mayor of Letterkenny Dessie Larkin". Donegal Daily. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  10. "Dessie Larkin". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015.
  11. "Congratulations to Cllr Dessie Larkin". Damien Blake. 27 June 2005. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2005.
  12. "Councillor gets €9,000 from FAI for lime burns". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 2 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  13. Heaney, Kate (3 February 2006). "Ex-mayor gets €9,000 over burns to scrotum". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  14. Molony, Senan (10 October 2008). "Humiliation for Gormley over posts". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  15. "Cllr Larkin will fully co-operate with Council over expenses claims". Highland Radio. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
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