Carey new cathaoirleach of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District

FIANNA Fáil Councillor Sean Carey has been elected cathaoirleach of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

This is the Erris member's second time in the seat, albeit the first was during Covid when his duties were largely confined to presiding over online meetings from his home.

He was elected following a vote after Independent Councillor Johnny O'Malley's name was also put forward for the role by Fine Gael's Peter Flynn, who said the chair should be rotated more. He felt it would make for a better council to spread it around a bit.

Councillor Carey pointed out that the cathaoirleach had come from the Westport electoral area on three occasions during their five-year term and only once from the Belmullet area.

Councillor Carey's nomination for the position was proposed by his FF colleague Brendan Mulroy and seconded by FG's Gerry Coyle before the O'Malley nomination was made.

He was elected on a 5-2 vote, with his own vote and those of Gerry Coyle (FG), Christy Hyland (Ind), Paul McNamara and Brendan Mulroy, both FF.

Peter Flynn and Johnny O'Malley voted for O'Malley.

The position of leas-cathaoirleach also went to a vote, with Christy Hyland elected. Johnny O'Malley again lost out, by four votes to three, receiving the support of Flynn and Coyle along with his own vote on this occasion.

Councillor Carey expressed his delight at being elected, commenting that a vote is democracy at its best.

They would now move on a work together for the betterment of the whole municipal district.