Mulroy new cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council

IT'S official. Westport Fianna Fáil Councillor Brendan Mulroy is the new cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

He took up his role as Mayo's first citizen this morning, but not without a contest.

Fine Gael nominated election poll-topper Patsy O'Brien for the position too and in the ensuing vote, Councillor Mulroy was elected by 16 votes to 14.

Five Independents have formed an alliance with Fianna Fáil and voted in favour of Mulroy along with the 11 FF members.

O'Brien, meanwhile, received the 12 FG votes plus the support of Sinn Féin's Gerry Murray and Independent Johnny O'Malley, a former FG councillor.

On being elected, Councillor Mulroy spelt out that some of his key priorities for the year ahead will be mental health, special needs, housing and climate change.

The position of leas-cathaoirleach was also contested, with Fianna Fáil's Al McDonnell defeating newly elected Fine Gael Councillor Donna Sheridan by two votes also, 16-14.

There were some heated exchanges in the council chamber, with Councillor Seamus Weir (Ind) accusing FG of not wanting to talk to all of the alliance and then trying to break them up. When that didn't work 'they tried their dirty work'.

A point was made by FG's Councillor Jarlath Munnelly that they had received signed agreements from some Independents. Regarding being let down, that was a two-way street.

 

* For a full report on proceedings, see Tuesday's print edition.