Ennis Councillor Pat Daly is the new president of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG).
The former Mayor of Clare beat off the challenge of former Offaly hurler Councillor Danny Owens and Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny) after a vote at the annual general meeting of the AILG earlier this week.
Councillor Daly, who was the outgoing vice-president, said he is delighted and honoured to be selected to this prestigious post.
The Fianna Fáil Councillor will represent the needs of almost 940 councillors at government level over the next year.
“I am looking forward to representing councillors at national level concerning their pay and conditions and playing a role in the formation of national policy documents for councillors,” he said.
“Our elected members, through our association, are fundamental stakeholders in our local government system and it is vital that our voice is heard on issues at all times,” he added.
Councillor Damien Geoghegan from Waterford was elected as the new vice-president, after defeating the challenge of Councillor Michael Hourigan from Limerick.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.