Chain snaps as Keane becomes new mayor

FINE Gael’s Brian Keane was unanimously elected Mayor of Kilkee on Monday night. However, there was a hiccup when the chain snapped when placed around his neck but it was quickly sorted.
He succeeded Lily Marrinan-Sullivan, who was elected to the position following last summer’s local elections. Elain Haugh-Hayes was elected deputy mayor.
As she stepped down, Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan acknowledged all the members for their co-operation over the past year. “I want to thank each and every member here, who have been nothing but supportive, courteous and co-operative,” she said.
The outgoing mayor said that the council had got a lot of work done over the last 12 months and she was particularly complimentary to the members who were elected for the first time last summer. “I don’t think the people of Kilkee should have any regrets about putting you in the position,” she commented.
Councillor Marrinan-Sullivan addressed a number of issues that have arisen in the town over the last year. “I believe that the casual trading laws worked much better than they had previously but we need to keep a close eye on it. There seems to be a grey area around what constitutes trading.”
She said she was sorry that the Cois Farraige festival won’t be held in Kilkee this summer.
“While it is disappointing I would like to thank MCD and the business people in town who tried to bring it. I hope it will be back in 2011,” she said.
The Independent councillor said that a lot of work had been done in relation to beach by-laws and that it was important signage be erected as soon as possible.
She said it was “unthinkable” that Kilkee could be left without a tourist office. She also said that Minister Tony Killeen had said he would raise the issue about tax on holiday homes at the highest level of Government.
“Minister Killeen assured us he would speak with Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan about the issue. We have 700 to 800 holiday homes and I would like to see some of the money coming back this way.”
Speaking to The Clare Champion after the meeting, she said she was hopeful that the issue regarding local diving boards would be sorted out soon. “ I’m very hopeful that it will be resolved on Wednesday when the report from the Irish Water Safety Authority is available. I don’t want in any way to undermine health and safety but if all we can do is shut things down…
“These are very important areas for swimming in Kilkee. People have swam there for 100 years. I would hope that when the report comes back Clare County Council will act with the same speed as they did when taking them down.”
Councillor Brian Keane had a worrying start to his term when the mayoral chain snapped just moments after it went around his neck. However, with the assistance of town manager Nora Kaye, the damage was quickly repaired and after the meeting he said he was pleased to accept the role.
“This is my 11th year on the council and I turned it down twice before because I was busy with other things, but I’m just delighted now to be the mayor of Kilkee, it’s a great honour.”
He said he hoped to see a few local improvements over the next 12 months. “One thing I would love to see done is the bandstand improved.
“Also, the public lighting along the seafront. The lighting there hasn’t been done for years and it looks old. We have a little project in mind, hopefully the council will back us on it and we’ll get it up and running.
“If that was done in my term I’d be quite happy.”
He added that he was hopeful  the revamp of the library would soon get underway.