Cllr Fiona Bonfield elected Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council
Cllr Fiona Bonfield thanks colleagues as she takes on county's top council role
Labour councillor Fiona Bonfield has been elected Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council for the coming year.
The Newport-based councillor was proposed by Labour colleague Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh and seconded by Cllr Michael Brennan. She was elected unopposed and succeeds Fianna Fáil councillor John Carroll in the role.
In a recent statement, Cllr Bonfield thanked her fellow councillors for their support.
"I had the honour of being elected Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council. I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me by my colleagues across all political affiliations," she said.
She also thanked her family, friends and the people of the Newport Local Electoral Area for their support.
Cllr Bonfield said she is committed to serving communities across Tipperary with "fairness, integrity and determination".
Setting out her priorities for the year ahead, she said they include delivering affordable housing, tackling vacancy and dereliction, and supporting more connected and thriving communities.
"Tipperary is a county of immense strength, beauty, and potential. I look forward to working with councillors, council staff, community groups, and local businesses to deliver real progress for our people," she said.
In her statement, Cllr Bonfield also paid tribute to her late father, Martin.
"I also want to remember my late Dad, Martin, who walked every road with me when I first ran in 2014. I know he's smiling down today," she said.
She also congratulated Fianna Fáil councillor Micheál Anglim on his election as Leas Cathaoirleach and thanked outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr John Carroll for his dedication and commitment over the past year.
She also acknowledged the support of her Labour colleagues, Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh and Cllr Michael "Chicken" Brennan, for proposing and seconding her nomination.
In her statement Cllr Bonfield added: "This role is not about one person, it's about all of us and our shared vision for Tipperary's future... Go raibh míle maith agaibh. I'm ready to get to work."