'Very humbled and honoured': New Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in for this Kildare MD
The appointments took place in the official headquarters of Kildare County Council in Naas
The new Mayor / Cathaoirleach and Deputy Mayor / leas Cathaoirleach have been voted in for the Athy Municipal District (MD).
The matter was decided at the MD’s annual meeting, which took place earlier today.
The topic initially arose when the outgoing Mayor, Fine Gael Cllr Ivan Keatley, who expressed gratitude for his ‘fourth time of asking’ as the MD’s Mayor.
He noted that it had been ‘a massive year’ for the MD, making reference to the redevelopment of Emily Square, as well as the Shackleton Experience.
Cllr Keatley thanked the staff of Kildare County Council and added that it was ‘a privilege’ to serve in the role.
Following his speech, Labour Party Cllr Aoife Breslin nominated her party colleague, Mark Leigh, as the MD’s new Mayor.
Speaking about Cllr Leigh, she said that he is ‘a fantastic councillor who campaigns like nobody else’.
Cllr Breslin also thanked Cllr Keatley for his time as the Mayor, telling him: “You steered the ship well.”
Her nomination for Cllr Leigh was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Brian Dooley, who also commended Cllr Keatley on his time in the role.
“You have always been fair and you have a good work ethic,” he added.
Cllr Dooley’s party colleague, Cllr Veralouise Behan, then briefly spoke to express her gratitude to Cllr Keatley during his time as the MD’s Mayor.
As no other nominations were heard, Cllr Leigh was elected as the new Mayor of the MD.
He proceeded to give a speech, during which he thanked Cllr Keatley for his work as the previous Mayor.
Cllr Leigh also told those in attendance that he was ‘an accidental politician’ who first joined the Labour Party in 2014.
Furthermore, he thanked members of his family and his wife, who were in the public gallery, for their support. He also pointed out that his party colleague, TD Mark Wall, was in the Council Chamber alongside them.
Moreover, Mayor Leigh thanked the councillors who nominated him.
PLEDGE
Speaking on his appointment, Mayor Leigh said that he was ‘very humbled and honoured’.
“It is such a proud moment for me, and I will do my utmost to serve the Athy community,” he added.
Mayor Leigh also asserted: “This year, there will be some difficult issues to address, such as the changes [affecting] Local Property Tax within this MD.”
Once he concluded his speech, Mayor Leigh proceeded to hear nominations for the Deputy Mayor role.
This prompted Cllr Breslin to nominate Cllr Dooley to the role.
This nomination was seconded by Cllr Keatley, who called Cllr Dooley ‘a fantastic advocate for the people of the Athy MD’.
“He has proven himself time and time again,” he added.
As no other nominations were heard, Cllr Dooley was appointed as the new Deputy Mayor of the MD.
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