Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom McNamara has been unanimously elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Counci.
A native of Kilmaley, Councillor McNamara, who was first elected to Clare County Council in 2009, succeeds Councillor Bill Chambers (FF) in the role.
At the council’s annual general meeting, Councillor McNamara was proposed for the role by Councillor Pat Daly (FF) and seconded by Councillors Paul Murphy (FG) and Christy Curtin (IND).
Councillor Pat Burke (FG) from Whitegate was elected Leas Cathaoirleach and replaces Councillor Paul Murphy (FG) in the role.
Addressing elected members, council staff and family members and friends, Councillor McNamara said, “To be afforded the honour of representing the members of this Council and the people of County Clare as Cathaoirleach means a great deal to me. I am deeply privileged and honoured to assume the role of Clare’s First Citizen.”
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.