No red cards flashed as new cathaoirleach in County Limerick elected

THE FINE Gael - Fianna Fail pact in the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District held up as Cllr Mike Donegan was unanimously elected cathaoirleach this Thursday afternoon.

He was proposed by Cllr Martin Ryan and seconded by Cllr Ger Mitchell. The position of leas cathaoirleach was filled by Cllr Martin Ryan after he was proposed by Cllr Mitchell and seconded by Cllr Donegan. There were no other proposals for either position. Cllr Donegan takes over from Cllr John Egan.

The main Government parties hold the balance of power as they have four of the councillors - John Egan, Ger Mitchell, of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail’s Mike Donegan and Martin Ryan. The three remaining councillors are Brigid Teefy, Eddie Ryan, both Independents, and Sinn Fein’s PJ Carey.

Cllr Teefy complimented Cllr Egan on his year as cathaoirleach and wished Cllr Donegan well in the role. However, she noted “some of us did not get the opportunity”.

Cllr Donegan, who was cathaoirleach of Cappamore-Kimallock in 2019, said the world is a very different palace now following Covid, the war in Ukraine and the cost of living increases. Coincidentally, it was the first time since Covid that the monthly meeting returned to Áras Mainchín Seoighe - council office in Kilmallock.

“I look forward to working with all of you,” said Cllr Donegan.

The Kilmallock man pinpointed two issues - promote the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre in Bruff and the town’s links to the Kennedys, and especially as it is the 60th anniversary of President John F Kennedy’s visit to Ireland; and progress the Stone Mansion project in Kilmallock. Cllr Donegan also highlighted the dispute involving retained firefighters which “make up the majority of personnel in rural Ireland”.

Earlier, Cllr Martin Ryan said it was wrong to see them outside their fire stations “cap in hand”.

“They put a lot on the line for us. It should not have happened. It’s not a place of work, it’s a commitment,” said Cllr Martin Ryan.

Cllr Donegan was wished well by his fellow councillors and by Brian Kennedy, responsible for the municipal district, on behalf of Limerick City and County Council.

New Cathaoirleach for county Limerick municipal district

Outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr Egan said a lot of work was done in the last year and there were “no divisions, really”.

“I had to show a few yellow cards but I never had to produce a red or a black card!” said Cllr Egan.

He pinpointed the opening of multi-million Beary’s Cross roundabout and the presentation of scrolls to locals for national and international achievements as two of his highlights of the year.

Cllr Egan thanked his fellow councillors and council staff.