"I want to be a strong voice of the people" - Mayo's new first citizen John O'Hara

A historic day for the parish of Bonniconlon

by Caoimhin Rowland

Councillor John O'Hara has been elected cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council for the first time.

The Bonniconlon-based representative has thanked his fellow Fine Gael colleagues, Councillor Jarlath Munnelly and Councillor Peter Flynn for nominating him at today's annual general meeting of the newly-elected council.

The nomination was supported by Fianna Fáil, with whom Fine Gael has an agreement for the next five years. The vice-chairman is Westport Fianna Fáil Councillor Brendan Mulroy.

In his address, Councillor O'Hara assured the people of Mayo he will promote their interests in bettering the county in every respect going forward.

In praising outgoing cathaoirleach, Councillor Michael Loftus, he said he was a hard act to follow.

An ESB technician by profession, John is married to Margaret Doherty, a native of Ardagh, and they have a family of five.

He is a very proud community man and has been a central figure in the growth of his parish and he is integral to the success of the annual Bonniconlon Agricultural Show, one of the biggest in the west.

Councillor O’Hara said the council should constantly work with companies like Coca-Cola, the brand leading multi-national, as well as people working on family farms, to see how it can help and work in partnership with them.

"We always talk about sewage, roads and infrastructure - but we need to ensue we get our fair share of central funding.

"We are lucky with our natural beauty, so we can keep building tourism at the forefront.

"Our most rewarding tourism is from our diaspora, the Irish people are the best sales people.

"We need keep our county looking the best. Thankfully, we are good custodians of our natural resources."

He called on the council's chief executive, Kevin Kelly, to retain general municipal allocation (GMA) funding for councillors.

"I ask him to join with me in local community development. It has produced the best success stories for the county and parishes.

"I want to be a voice of the people and I hope to attend every little village and little town as over the next 12 months. I’ll finish by saying Mayo 4 Sam."

He was formally nominated by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly.

Councillor Munnelly stated: "John is somebody steeped in community, native of Bonniconlon, and represented it with distinction since 2011.

"I wish him, his wife Margaret and family every success over the coming year."

Westport Councillor Peter Flynn seconded the nomination.

He said: "When he was co-opted in 2011, he came in as a quiet man and remains a quiet man.

"He’ll be a very respected cathaoirleach."