Fianna Fáil set to secure two further Mayo mayoral roles

The positions of cathaoirleach of West Mayo and Ballina municipal districts are both set to be filled by Fianna Fáil party nominees today.

Belmullet Councillor Sean Carey will be installed as chair of the West Mayo authority at its meeting in Westport this afternoon.

He has the support of other members of the Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil Alliance on the committee, namely Gerry Coyle, FG, Peter Flynn, FG, Paul McNamara, FF, and Brendan Mulroy, FF.

The alliance has a five-strong power-block on the committee of seven, the other members being Johnny O'Malley (Ind) and Independent Ireland's Chris Maxwell, the newly-elected Louisburgh representative.

Councillor Carey was also cathaoirleach in 2023/24.

Crossmolina Councillor Michael Loftus will be appointed cathaoirleach of the Ballina MD at its annual general meeting at 11 a.m.

Councillor Loftus, who served as cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council during the 2023/24 term, can also depend on the backing of his FG/FF Alliance colleagues, namely John O'Hara, FG, Jarlath Munnelly, FG, and Annie May Reape, FF.

The other members of the six-strong committee are Independent Ballina Councillor Mark Duffy and Joe Faughnan, the Knockmore-based newly-elected independent.

Earlier this week, Fine Gael Councillor Donna Sheridan was elected chair of Castlebar MD while Ballinrobe Fianna Fáil Councillor Damian Ryan was appointed cathaoirleach of the Claremorris/Swinford district.

Both were elected unopposed due to the strength of the first-ever FG/FF partnership.