That’s Limerick City

at

Fianna Fáil’s Abul Kalam Azad Talukder.

Limerick’s first Muslim Councillor becomes its new deputy mayor.

Known locally as ‘Jackie’…

…Talukder, who hails from Bangladesh, first had his interest piqued by politics when he met former Fianna Fáil junior minister Peter Power in 2004. At the time, he transitioned from working in a bar to managing a restaurant, while also working as a taxi driver.

“In my nearly 20 years here, I have never been without a job, not even for a week,” he says. After years of involvement with the local Fianna Fáil group, he finally decided to take the plunge and run for election himself.

He said he has encountered xenophobia and racism but that the vast majority of locals have welcomed him. “Most people say, ‘we like change, we like new voices, we like new ideas’ and maybe one or two people say they don’t want an outsider.”

From the Irish Times on Mr Talkuder’s election to Limerick council last year.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Collins named Mayor of Limerick (RTÉ)

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50 thoughts on “That’s Limerick City

  1. Toby

    Bangladesh always seems to me to get the worst of the worlds problems. Famine, drought, flooding., persecution. So nice to see a good story emanate from that background.

    2 major appointments for non whites this week, with remarkably different attitudes. Hazel could take note.

  2. broadbag

    Good luck to him, great to see some diversity, hopefully sign that racism is losing the battle.

    1. Clampers Outside

      He’s here 20 years, learnt the language, and clearly integrated himself.

      Big difference between doing that and pure “multiculturalism” distinct from the host country. Even Obama says that much, and that that is what is needed for a cohesive society.

      Fair dues to that man and the people of the city of Limerick!

  3. Rob_G

    Fair play to him – a credit to his family, and to the people of Limerick, too.

    “In my nearly 20 years here, I have never been without a job, not even for a week”

    – I must remember to post this the next time Eamonn posts one of his screeds decrying the Dept of SW asking people on the scratch to apply for the occasional job.

    1. Johnny

      …typical FF conflicts abound..good for him,taking advantage like this,any chance he’d release a list his business interests,you know so he we know when he needs step out the room….

      1. Rob_G

        Yes, driving a taxi, managing a restaurant – sounds like a real robber-baron, alright.

        He’s on Twitter, why don’t you ask him, rather than casting vague aspersions on the man’s character?

        1. Johnny

          Irish Taxi Owners Co-operative Credit Union was fined by the central bank for failure to adopt anti-money laundering and terrorist financing policies,I don’t think its unreasonable given FF’s history of graft to ask him how he financed his empire and if he’s tax complaint,never mind disclosing any conflicts.

          He’s kinda new around here,some background info before he makes the rules for his many business interests,any gaffs ?

          SF has social and community workers-FF finds Irelands very own Diamond and Silk…

          1. Harry

            Did they observe actual money laundering or discover a technical non compliance with the legislation?

            And why is this gentleman responsible for the credit union?

            Pretty much every bank has had AML findings, I still don’t think you a money launderer J.

          2. Johnny

            I have no idea who he banks with, do you ?

            The point is while i admire a good rags to riches tale, before you know running the city and making the rules, more finical disclosure is required given the very rapid and public accumulation of wealth and power.

          3. Rob_G

            Are you posting this because he was on the board of this credit union at the time? Or was he even a member? Or are you just posting this because your knee-jerk reaction is to slur anyone who is not a member of SF?

            “… failure to adopt anti-money laundering and terrorist financing policies” – fairly brave card for you to play

            “SF has social and community workers” – I thought it was the part of bankrobbers, kidnappers, and bomb makers.

          4. Johnny

            …not at all Rob, the irish Taxi business is know for its meticulous record keeping and tax compliance.
            If I’m not mistaken it is been used in Dublin by organized crime…but carry on with the SF outdated nonsense.

          5. Rob_G

            Also, the most recent SF councillor to be convicted of kidnapping was in 2017, which I would consider fairly current.

          6. Johnny

            …happened-its ongoing…so if this was a taxi driving SF councillor who’d relocated from our Ardonye you’d be ah congrats ?
            FF should disclose his holdings and so should he.

            “The Criminal Assets Bureau is leading a major operation targeting a criminal “unknown” suspected of laundering the proceeds of the Kinahan crime cartel.

            The 32-year-old “poses” as a taxi driver and, though living in Meath, is from Dublin’s north inner city, the heartland of the rival Hutch crime group. The individual is suspected of being involved in purchasing properties and lands with cartel funds.”

            https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/cab-lead-operation-targeting-individual-suspected-of-laundering-proceeds-of-kinahan-crime-cartel-917169.html

          7. Rob_G

            So what has that got to do with this nice man who lives in Limerick?

            Headline: “Convicted serial killer worked as plumber”
            Johnny: “OMG, all plumbers must be serial killers”

          8. Johnny

            ….yeah sure Rob,Limerick has no history of organized crime,did not take you for a sucker, he should disclose which im sure is a very inspirational and moving story, how he parlayed driving a taxi into Deputy Mayor of a major Irish city, and who financed it.

          9. italia'90

            Mary Lou gets driven around Ireland by the same taxi firm from north inner city Dublin, a taxi firm owned and controlled by the Hutch family crime syndicate.
            What a coincidence eh?

            If your knowledge of SF businesses, enterprises, rented properties, taxi companies and black cab ownership, drug dealing and child abuse was chocolate,
            you wouldn’t have enough to fill a smartie,
            ya gobaloon.
            Away up to Martin or Sammy South in the Ear Inn and ask them to give your head a wobble for you.

    2. Joe Small

      I’m always fascinated that people can fly a few hundred or thousand miles over here with little or no English and pick up a job straight off the plane while there is always 100,000 or so Irish-born people who will never secure any form of paid employed bar maybe community employment.

      1. Janet, dreams of spidercrab and fancy pastries

        I’m not, some people have different motivation and priorities and those things drive them

  4. Ghost of Yep

    In my experience, Bangladeshis come 2nd to Filipinos in the “nicest people you will ever meet” league table.

    Fair play that man.

    1. Janet, dreams of spidercrab and fancy pastries

      worked with many of both in Paris, some absolute gems

      1. Janet, dreams of spidercrab and fancy pastries

        If I had to say in my experience Nepalese and Samoan for me

  5. GiggidyGoo

    Mr. Talukder is an example as to what can be achieved through hard work in his personal life and fair play to him.

    To put it in perspective though – both his and Hazel Chu’s appointments were the result of voting pacts by political parties and not by a public vote. Limerick’s next Mayor will be chosen by public vote vote I think. Not sure how the Deputy Mayor gets elected in that scenario.

    1. Vanessanelle

      Both of them collected votes in addition to the party pact whip votes

      a sharing agreement that has been running in Councils for decades

      But sure
      don’t let any of that get in the way of yere disgruntled anxiety about people not looking like ye getting into the papers, and getting likes

  6. Kate

    He has a jolly smile and good luck to him! I still recall the distress of a little Indian nurse in Limerick a few years ago. She popped into her loo ensuite– heard the “click” of being locked in by her 2 year old toddler. Screamed, roared, bloodied fingers, broken nails –8 hours later released by her husband. Thank heavens toddler was unharmed. Spell of bawling but his silence terrified her when she was trapped. Beware of little imps!

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