Kevin Kiely
Irish politician (died 2026)
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Kevin Kiely (1961 or 1962 – 12 March 2026) was an Irish politician and Mayor of Limerick from 2009 to 2010.[1] He was made a Peace Commissioner in 1983 by the then Fine Gael Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan.[2] He was a member of Fine Gael.[2]
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Kevin Kiely | |
|---|---|
Kiely in 2009 in the robes of the Mayor of Limerick | |
| Mayor of Limerick | |
| In office 2009–2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1961 or 1962 |
| Died | (aged 64) Limerick, Ireland |
| Party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Fine Gael (until 2011) |
Career in politics
Kiely was first elected to Limerick City Council in 1985.[2] He was re-elected to the council in June 2009.[2] He was a member of the Governing Authority of the University of Limerick.[2] He was Chairman of Limerick City Council Joint Policing and a former Chairman of Limerick City Council Future Planning.[2] He was married with two children.[2] In November 2009, he called for unemployed European Union nationals to be deported from Ireland.[3] His views led to a debate over racism.[4] This was part of a broader controversy surrounding racist comments from Fine Gael members in Limerick.[5]
In March 2010, he called for a change to the law which bans selling alcohol on Good Friday and Christmas Day, at a time when a rugby match was due to take place in Limerick city.[6] Shortly before leaving office in June 2010, he again was the subject of national news when he called for the re-introduction of capital punishment.[7][8]
Departure from Fine Gael
Kiley left Fine Gael, over the party's failure to select him as a candidate for the 2011 Irish general election. He unsuccessfully ran as an Independent candidate for the constituency of Limerick City.[9]
Death
Kiely died at a hospice in Limerick from complications of Parkinson's disease on 12 March 2026, aged 64.[10][11][12]