BREAKING: New Cathaoirleach and leas Cathaoirleach elected for Kildare-Newbridge MD
The decision was announced today as part of the Kildare-Newbridge MD's annual meeting
A Fine Gael councillor and Social Democrats Cllr have been elected as the new Cathaoirleach and leas Cathaoirleach of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) respectively.
Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer was nominated to the Cathaoirleach role, while Cllr Chris Pender has been announced as the new leas Cathaoirleach.
The announcements were made today during the MD's annual meeting, which commenced at around 12pm.
Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer proposed the nomination for Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, and the nomination was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey.
Commenting on her appointment, Cllr O'Dwyer told her fellow local representatives: "I would like to thank everyone here. As we know, the MD is a huge geographical area, so I am very aware of the busy year ahead of us, as well as the next five years."
She added: "For Newbridge in particular, we are heading up to the Local Area Plan, so it is probably fitting that I represent the area."
The Cathaoirleach also pointed to her husband in the public gallery, and jokingly added: "He has been my campaign director for the elections, although we have been directing one another for forty years now!"
She concluded by promising those in attendance that she would work hard for the MD.
File photograph: Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender, the new leas Cathaoirleach of the MD.
Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer will succeed Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Curran, who was co-opted to replace former Fine Gael Cllr Mark Stafford, while Cllr Chris Pender will replace Fianna Fáil Cllr Anne Connolly as leas Cathaoirleach, after she announced that she would not be contesting the Local Elections 2024.
The meeting was also the first to feature three newly elected councillors: Sinn Féin Cllr Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (who attended virtually), Independent Cllr Tom McDonnell and Social Democrats Cllr Pat Balfe.
The last two items on the agenda were for the members to approve the minutes of the monthly MD Municipal District meeting (which was held on Wednesday, May 15 last) and to consider the meetings calendar for the remainder of the year (it was agreed to hold the monthly MD meeting every third Wednesday).
As the meeting came to a close, Cathaoirleach O'Dwyer wished everyone who was attending the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby over the weekend well, while leas Cathaoirleach Pender wished everyone a Happy Pride.
The meeting concluded at around 12.20pm.