Cllr Seán Kelly elected Cathaoirleach to Dundalk Municipal District

Cllr Seán Kelly was elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, at the municipal district's Annual Meeting held in the Dundalk Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

Cllr Kelly, who was nominated for the position by Cllr Andrea McKevitt, replaces outgoing Cathaoirleach Kevin Meenan, who handed over the chain of office after Cllr Kelly was elected unopposed.

Prior to the selection of the new Cathaoirleach, Cllr Meenan thanked the members for their support and co-operation during his term as Cathaoirleach. Cllr Meenan said it was a very busy year, with many events taking place, including the visit from US President Joe Biden, but added that smaller events where he was meeting schools and community groups were probably where he was more comfortable.

Members from across the Chamber thanked and congratulated Cllr Meenan for his work throughout the year, with councillors saying he was a "wonderful ambassador for Dundalk", "an excellent Cathaoirleach", "professional" and "impartial."

Director of Service, Thomas McEvoy also thanked Cllr Meenan for the work he carried out through the year, saying that they saw the work he did "behind the scenes" and that he "performed excellently."

New Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seán Kelly, thanked the members for electing him to the role, and said that he looked forward to working with them all in the year ahead. Cllr Kelly added a special word of thanks to outgoing Cathaoirleach, saying that he had always been very good and kind to all the councillors, was very easy to work with and talk to, and that he was a gentleman to his fingertips.

"I think we all leave party politics at the door when we come in here", the new Cathaoirleach added, saying that their number one priority was Dundalk and that he hopes they all strive to keeping doing so.

Above: New Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr John Reilly (Photo: Arthur Kinahan)