Monaghan tells of immense pride at taking over helm of Longford Municipal District
Longford Municipal District has a new cathaoirleach at its helm in the shape of Fianna Fáil Councillor Martin Monaghan.
The local businessman was elected to the role at this afternoon’s annual general meeting of the local authority, assuming the chain of office from outgoing cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan.
Cllr Monaghan, in a largely personable and pragmatic speech, said the honour was one who could not have achieved without the support of his family.
In singling out the input of his parents Esther and Christy who, together with his partner Deidre, proudly watched on from the public gallery, Cllr Monaghan underlined just how dear Longford remained to him.
“Our town is a very important part of me,” he said.
“I was born, bred and reared in Longford. Over my lifetime I have watched Longford evolve and expand mainly due to the generations of hard working citizens who had vision, drive and passion to make our county a better place.
“I am very proud to be from Longford because we have produced award winning business, award winning villages, athletes and even Olympians in this county and in this town, poets, authors and musicians.”
Cllr Monaghan said despite its size, Longford was a county and town that routinely “punched above its weight”, a virtue the Fianna Fáil councillor stressed would be relied upon perhaps even more so over the next 12 months.
“We are going to face challenges, we are going to face problems but have utmost faith in my fellow councillors and management of Longford County Council that we will overcome them as we have before so we can all look forward to a bright and prosperous future,” he said.
Fine Gael’s Peggy Nolan was elected Leas Cathaoirleach on foot of a proposal from Cllr Hagan.
Cllr Nolan said while she would be ready to offer her support to Cllr Monaghan at every opportunity, she believed her role would be little more than an advisory one.
“I will work with you and I will support you, but I don’t think I will be doing much as I know you are a worker,” she told Cllr Monaghan.
“The passion you share, I share and whatever you want or need, all you have to do is call.”