The Commons Touch

Jack Commons and Zoe O’Shaughnessey with Gerry Walsh. People Of The Year Sept 2022

atest press release from Fianna Fáil Wicklow, issued on Wednesday, June 7th 2023…

Greystones Fianna Fáil held its Selection Convention for the Local Elections 2024 and confirmed local man, Jack Commons, as their candidate for the Greystones Municipal District.

Jack was joined on the night by Senator Pat Casey, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, Jim O’Callaghan TD, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice, Cllr. Tommy Annesley, Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Gerry Walsh, Cathaoirleach Greystones Municipal District, Fianna Fáil colleagues, family members and friends.

Jack comes to his candidacy with a strong local background and a wealth of experience. Jack’s family has been in Greystones for three generations. He and his fiancée, Zoe O’Shaughnessy, are expecting a baby at the end of the month, which will very shortly make it four generations of Commons locally.

Jack’s family connections run from Newcastle, through Kilcoole and Delgany to Greystones, making him well versed in the needs of the Greystones Municipal District.

Jack is an outstanding member of the teaching profession, teaching Mathematics at second level. His work gives him a direct insight to the issues facing young people in our society today. Jack also brings with him a varied sports career which includes both hurling and Gaelic for Éire Óg Greystones, Greystones RFC and Greystones United AFC from the age of 4.

Minister Donnelly praised Jack, saying, “Jack Commons is exactly the kind of young, exciting and dynamic candidate Greystones needs. He has immense experience working with young people through his years as a teacher of Mathematics at second level. He has also shown incredible innovation during Covid by setting up a free online grinds system.

With proud dad Larry and jealous brother Brian

“Jack established a website which contained over 50 hours of videos with solutions to every single Higher Level Maths paper question for both the Junior and Leaving Certificates for the past ten years.

“Jack is determined to help build a brighter future for the town as it undergoes unprecedented change and growth. I am excited to welcome him to Fianna Fáil and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Cllr. Gerry Walsh has made the decision not to put his name forward for selection to contest the Local Elections in 2024. Gerry “wishes to warmly welcome the Fianna Fáil candidate selection of Jack Commons. It is both encouraging and refreshing to see a young person of Jack’s calibre, putting themselves forward for election to public office.

“As recipient of a Greystones Municipal District Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2022 for his online maths grinds website, I have known Jack to be a young man of high intellect, integrity , with a breadth of understanding and empathy. I wish him well in his forthcoming local election campaign.”

Minister Donnelly paid tribute to outgoing Cllr. Walsh saying, “Gerry has been an immense force for good for the people of Greystones over the past 10 years. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents both in the town and across the county during his time in office.”

“At all times Gerry has remained an absolute gentleman to deal with. His door has always been open to offer help and advice. Gerry will be sorely missed, not just by me, but also by his constituents, as he has been a fantastic servant to his community. I would like to wish him well in his well earned retirement from politics.

“Gerry may be leaving, but he and the impact he has had certainly won’t be forgotten.”