Richie Molloy is elected first citizen of his native town of Clonmel for the third time

On an emotional and proud night for his family, Cllr Richie Molloy was elected as first citizen of his native town in Clonmel Town Hall last Friday.

Cllr Molloy, who previously held the position in 2007 and 2019, was unanimously elected Mayor of Clonmel by his colleagues on Clonmel Borough District.
His wife Sangeeta, son Oishin and daughter Ria, family and friends and representatives of organisations Cllr Molloy has been associated with throughout his life, attended a reception after the formal proceedings concluded.

At the meeting the new Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Molloy set out his objectives for the year following his election.
He said Clonmel was fortunate to have so many big employers including Boston Scientific, Abbott, Bulmers and Merck Sharp and Dohme.

During his year he wanted to do all he could to help support small business in the town. Mayor Molloy said he wanted to take action to promote business that were the ‘lifeblood of the town’.
“I want to encourage small businesses and local shops and to help them thrive,” said Mayor Molloy.

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He welcomed news that the Clonmel Arms was bought and would be developed.
“This is very positive for the town. The Clonmel Arms Hotel has been a real bugbear for public representatives,” he said.
Mayor Molloy said he welcomed the recent major developments such as the opening of the new sports hub and the Kickham Plaza. He also welcomed the proposal to create a caravan camper parking area in Suir Island.
Mayor Molloy said the development of the Clonmel Arms Hotel together with the plans for a bridge to connect the town to Suir Island would be a very important project for the town.

He also told members that during his year he wanted to highlight the need to provide support to family carers.
“You would be shocked at how little practical help that is there,” he said.
Mayor Molloy, who is the manager of the Clonmel branch of the Family Carers office, said he wanted to make progress during the year on bringing pressure on the health service to introduce practical help mechanisms for carers.

The new first citizen said he was privileged to be elected as Mayor of Clonmel as he can remember from a very young age having great respect for the role and the tradition of the role in the town.
“I remember as a child meeting a Mayor of Clonmel for the first time, the late Cllr Brendan Cronin.
“It is a great honour for me, especially as a native of the town, to be elected to that position,” said Cllr Molloy.
Cllr Molloy was proposed for the role as first citizen by Cllr Siobhan Ambrose and seconded by Cllr Michael Murphy.
There were no other nominations and Cllr Molloy was elected unanimously.

Cllr Michael Murphy, who was proposed by Cllr John Fitzgerald and seconded by Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor. Glowing tributes were paid to the new mayor and deputy mayor following their election by both elected representatives and officials.
Cllr Molloy took over from the out-going Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English.

CLLR ENGLISH
Cllr English said he was proud to honour the Franciscans for the service they had given the town following their departure in January.

He was also glad to honour Clonmel Credit Union and he was delighted to see such significant progress being made on long awaited projects such as the Kickham Plaza and the new sports hub in the town.
He also welcomed progress on the provision of new houses and the creation of 400 new jobs at Boston Scientific. Members and officials praised Cllr English for the excellent and fair manner in which he conducted his duties during the last year.