Tony to drive on as county Clare’s new mayor

A FORMER Bus Eireann inspector from Killaloe has driven to the top of Clare County Council.

Councillor Tony O’Brien was elected unopposed as Clare’s next first citizen without a vote as part of the power-sharing arrangement that was first brokered in 2004 at the annual general meeting in Ennis on Friday.

The former Smith O’Brien GAA club secretary replaced Councillor PJ Ryan, who was lauded for being a great ambassador for the county over the past year.

Councillor O’Brien was proposed by his Fianna Fáil colleague, Councillor Pat Hayes and seconded by Joe Cooney, Fine Gael, while Councillor Gerry Flynn, Independent also expressed his support.

Councillor Hayes said his close friend Councillor O’Brien’s years working as a union official for the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has left him very grounded in reality of how things worked. Since his retirement from Bus Eireann, the new first citizen is challenging planning, housing and budgets in the council, Councillor Hayes said.

Councillor Cooney said he knew Councillor O’Brien before they were first elected in the council in 2004 and predicted he would be an excellent chairman.

“Clare has benefited a lot from power sharing since it was introduced in 2004.”

Councillor Gerry Flynn said the power sharing pact has ensured independents have got the opportunity to become first citizen.

Councillor Ann Norton was elected as vice-chairperson for the next year, succeeding Councillor Joe Killeen.

Councillor Flynn nominated Councillor Norton for the position, stating she has worked for the most vulnerable over the last 25 years, helping to set up the Clare Crusaders Clinic, which has provided vital therapy for children with additional needs.

He said she is a proud parent of three amazing children.

Councillor Paul Murphy said Councillor Norton is outspoken and campaigns for those who need support as part of her great caring nature.

“There is never an agenda with Ann, what you see is what you get. I got to know her very well over the last six years. I confided with Ann on a very private family matter and that has led to a very strong friendship.”

Outgoing vice-chairman, Councillor Joe Killeen cited a number of events during the year such as the signing of the West Clare Greenway in Moyasta, the celebration function for Covid-19 volunteers, President Michael D Higgins’s visit to St Flannan’s College, the contract signing for Liscannor waste water treatment plant and the visit of Community Minister Heather Humphreys.

In his wide-ranging address following his election, Councillor O’Brien pledged to work in partnership with the Shannon Group to attract further investment and more traffic through Shannon Airport.

The Killaloe resident promised to continue progressing the proposed takeover of the Shannon Heritage Tourist sites, to work in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for the upgrading of the road serving Shannon Airport and to continue working on the development of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in South-East Clare, working in partnership with the University of Limerick.

He emphasised the importance of the recently opened Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme and working providing the new Springfield Flood Defence embankment.

Stressing the importance of the new Shannon River Crossing, he acknowledged certain difficulties still remain to be ironed out following the appointment of John Sisk as the main contractor by the council, which is taking the lead role in progressing this project.

He urged Clare’s Oireachtas members to ensure that all that is necessary is done to commence this project immediately.

“Its necessity and importance to the entire east Clare region cannot be overstated,” he said.

He criticised the removal of Phase Two of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) from the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy as “nothing short of disgraceful”.

“I commit to have this reinvestigated and campaign to have it reintroduced as per the Clare County Development Plan.”

He said he wouldn’t be making any grandiose political promises.

“My commitment is to continue to work for and on behalf of all the people of County Clare. To continue the work on the many projects which are currently ongoing.

“To continue the promotion and marketing of our great county and all that we have to offer, from the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher to Loop Head Lighthouse across to Inis Cealtra/Holy Island on the majestic river Shannon.

“And not forgetting the highest peak in the Banner, the beautiful mountainous landscape of Moylussa heading into the gateway to County Clare from the east, the historic town of Killaloe and everything in between.

“The bringing together of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. And when all the beauty and tranquillity is seen and enjoyed, it is people that make our county so special.

“I would like to acknowledge the wonderful community spirit in our county, which is evident in the support that groups and volunteers are providing to displaced Ukrainians here, who have got a great welcome in the county.”

Thanking his colleagues for bestowing this great honour as council chairman, he accepted it not only in a personal capacity but also on behalf of all his family, friends, Killaloe parish and its people, and the little spot he calls heaven, The Cross Roads.

He paid tribute to his wife, Majella, for her “undying support” whether it is politics, their beloved Smith O’Brien’s GAA club, and community work.

He thanked his children Shane, Elaine, son-in-law, Conor and his extended family for all their support and mentioned his grandchildren Lucy, Billy, Maisy and Finn.

He recalled a good friend told him your real friends back you even when you are wrong.

Commenting on the Clare County Development Plan and the annual Budget, he stressed they can’t be completed without the input of all members and the executive, taking into account respect and compromise will be required by all participants.

He looked forward to working with councillors and the executive to campaign as one collective voice for the county. He thanked friends and colleagues from Bus Éireann and the NBRU.

Concluding he remembered with pride his father, Billy, a bus driver, and grandparents, Willy and Mary O’Brien, who reared him on the Cross Roads in Killaloe.