Longford's Municipal Districts elect new Cathaoirligh
Three councillors elected to lead for next year
Longford's three Municipal Districts met on Monday for the first time since the 2024 local elections to nominate the leaders for the next 12 months.
The first Municipal District meeting of the day was for members of the Granard MD. Granard municipal district had the highest turnout of the three County Longford MDs in the election.
The five candidates elected were Fine Gael’s Garry Murtagh, Independent Turlough McGovern and Paraic Brady (FG), Padraig McNamara (FG) and Fianna Fáil’s David Cassidy.
Following an arrangement between the elected members, Cllr Murtagh will be Cathaoirleach for the first year, while his leas Cathaoirleach will be Paraic Brady.
At the second meeting, that of Longford MD, Cllr Seamus Butler was elected Cathaoirleach, with the leas Cathaoirleach Uruemu Adejinmi (FF).
Longford MD elected members are Gerry Hagan (FG), Martin Monaghan (FF), Seamus Butler (FF), Peggy Nolan (FG), Niall Gannon (FG), Uruemu Adejinmi (FF) and Kevin Hussey (FF).
The six candidates elected in the Ballymahon MD were Fine Gael’s Paul Ross, Fianna Fáil’s Mick Cahill, Independent Mark Casey, Pat O’Toole (FF), Sean Mimnagh (FF), and Martin Skelly (FG).
Taking the post of Cathaoirleach for the first term is Cllr Pat O'Toole (FF) with the leas Cathaoirleach role going to Martin Skelly (FG).
Though the meetings to elect new leaders were generally harmonious, an issue around the timing of the Longford MD meeting raised a voice of dissent.
Cathaoirleach Seamus Butler proposed that the meetings be held at 11am on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Cllr Peggy Nolan said: “Nobody puts their name on a ballot paper thinking they will have to look for time off work from their employer. That time is unfair for people who are working.”
Though the scheduling for the meeting was adopted without a vote, Cllr Nolan said: “This doesn't bode well for the way this MD will be run.”
The Granard MD meeting will take place on the fourth Monday of each month at 3:30pm, while the Ballymahon MD is set to take place on the fourth Thursday at 4pm.