Ruth Illingworth, an out lesbian, has been elected chairperson of the Mulingar Town Council in County West Meath, west of Dublin.  She is likely Ireland’s first openly gay elected town councilor, according to the Westmeath Examiner, but she doesn’t have “the time or inclination” to find out, she told the paper, adding:

“Ireland is a very conservative country but it is a republic and in a republic everyone is entitled to equality. We should look to countries like Spain and Canada and how they have dealt with the issue.”

“I feel that people in public life who are gay should come forward and would echo comments made by Eamon Gilmore who opened Gay Pride in Dublin last week where he said that more gay people should get involved in politics.”

“Being gay is just one part of me. I am a woman, I am Irish, I am left-handed and I am gay. It’s an important part but it’s not everything.”