FIANNA Fáil’s Patrick O’Gorman was elected as Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District on Tuesday.
Speaking after his election the Cratloe man said he had told the meeting he was pleased to be the new Cathaoirleach.
“I said it was a huge honour to be elected as the Cathaoirleach for the coming year,” he said.
“I thanked David Griffin and Tony Mulcahy for proposing and seconding me, David proposed me and Tony seconded me. I spoke a bit about Pat McMahon, Gerry Flynn and PJ Ryan. Pat and Gerry retired and I was very sorry to see PJ losing his seat, he’s a friend and neighbour.
“I committed to serving the people of the whole MD for the coming year and I look forward to working closely with my fellow councillors in getting projects delivered. I believe a positive approach is the best approach for achieving success and I look forward to working with Aidan, who is our director of services, Anne, our senior executive officer and Tom, our senior executive engineer and all the staff of the Shannon Municipal District.
“I also paid tribute to Donna McGettigan (SF) for the tough year she put down personally, and in the run up to the local elections. I thanked her for her work for the Shannon Municipal District during her time as Cathaoirleach.”
Identifying some of his priorities for the next 12 months, the new Cathaoirleach said, “The One Shannon Hub project will be a major piece of infrastructure for Shannon, the upgrade of the N19 into the airport from the Drumgeely roundabout and the Shannon Flood Relief Scheme is something I want to progress. The people of Shannon can’t insure their houses and it would be of great benefit to the people of Shannon, to businesses, the airport and the Golf Course.
“The Shannon to Bunratty greenway, going on to Sixmilebridge, is something I would be prioritising and I spoke about the continuous improvement of our road network. I also spoke about building on the success of Shannon Airport through a close working relationship with Shannon Airport Group, and continuing my work with community groups through the Community Grants Scheme. Since the Council has taken over Bunratty Castle and Folk Park it has thrived, and during my tenure as Cathaoirleach I want it to continue.”
He said that he told the meeting that he intends to be persistent over the next 12 months.
“I quoted a great Clare man, Brendan O’Regan, ‘if you keep knocking on the door, the door will eventually open’. This will be my mantra going forward.”
Sinn Féin’s Donna McGettigan was elected leas cathaoirleach, despite some reluctance.
She had been Cathaoirleach for the previous 12 months, and after being nominated herself she nominated someone else, Councillor O’Gorman said, before finally accepting the role.
“She was proposed by Michael Begley and seconded by John Crowe,” he said.
“Then she proposed John Crowe herself and it was seconded by David Griffin. John asked if she would take it, and she said she would be very busy in the coming year, but she would take it on condition that John would take it if it got too busy.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.