Pat is a native of west Limerick and a graduate of UL.   He now resides in West Clare.  He was appointed to the post of Chief Executive, Clare County Council in September 2016. 

He has worked in local government for the past twenty five years and had responsibility for the merger of Limerick City and County Councils as part of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. 

He worked in a number of areas in local government including responsibility for housing and regeneration programmes in the Limerick city area.  

At national level he is Chair of the Age Friendly Alliances, Chair of Water, Environment and Emergency Planning Committee, Chair of Local Authority Services National Training Group, Chair of Fire Services Training Group, member of the Civil Defence Inter-Agency Guidance Team, Water Services Training Group, National Emergency Co-Ordination Committee, National Directorate on Fire and Emergency Management Board.  

Prior to joining local government he has worked with Clare Youth Service, National Youth Council of Ireland, Macra na Feirme and Kildare LEADER Programme.