A Fine Gael councillor for Monaghan, David Maxwell has an undefeated record since he first ran for the local authority in 2004.

The 58-year-old father-of-two has been an undertaker for 15 years and grew up in Co Antrim during the Troubles – attending Ballycraigy Primary School – before returning to live in his father’s home town of Monaghan.

Over the past 20 years, he has built a close working relationship with outgoing Cavan-Monaghan Fine Gael TD and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, with the pair first meeting during her time on council in 2003.

He describes himself as “coming from the Protestant background”.

He was elected as Cathaoirleach in 2018 and 2023.

A supporter of the arts, he is a member of the Garage Theatre Company Monaghan and is Chairman of CMETB (Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board). He also lived in Galway for ten years.