Former Munster rugby star Gerry "Ginger" McLoughlin, has joined the Labour Party in Limerick.
Mr McLoughlin was unveiled yesterday as the party's new city councillor in Limerick's Ward 2. He has served as an independent councillor on Limerick City Council since he was first elected in 2004.
Mr McLoughlin, who works as a special needs teacher at St Senan's Boys School, is perhaps best known as a former Munster and Ireland rugby player.
He played in the famous Munster side which beat the All-Blacks team at Thomond Park in 1978. He also played a prominent role and scored a try when Ireland beat England at Twickenham in 1982 in their successful Triple Crown year.
Mr McLoughlin was welcomed into the Labour fold yesterday by party leader Pat Rabbitte, who was visiting the city.
"It isn't the first time of course that Gerry has togged out in a red jersey and I haven't any doubt that he will be as distinguished and effective in this particular red jersey as he was in the one that we all admired going back to 1978," said Mr Rabbitte.
Mr McLoughlin said the decision to join the party was not unusual as he always felt that the Labour Party was his natural home.
He said he felt he could achieve more for his constituents in Limerick city as a member of a larger political party.
"I canvassed for Jim Kemmy in the 1980s and have admired Jan O'Sullivan's work since I got involved in politics. I am now looking forward to working with the Labour Party," he said.