*Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF). Photograph: Eamon Ward
FRESH FROM concluding his term as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) has been elected as the new Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District.
Following an election campaign where he inherited the nickname ‘the dyson of East Clare’ as christened to him on The Clare Echo’s political podcast, The Electoral Chair, Cllr Cooney has hoovered up a new role as Chair of the Killaloe MD as he succeeds Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF).
When proposing him for the role, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) remarked, “it seems when you step down as Mayor of the county that you automatically become Chairman of the Killaloe MD, Alan might change that next year”. This was seconded by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).
Addressing the AGM of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Cooney commented, “We work here as a team for the people of Killaloe MD and we have done for last 20 years since I’ve been here and for 15 years since others have come in”. He paid tribute to the staff “for the great work they are doing”.
He added, “Large projects are not progressing or not getting funding, others which have got funding and are progressing, it takes time and commitment, we are going to work together for the next twelve months to make the Killaloe MD a better place to live and work in. It is important to keep going and move the show forward”.
In his final remarks as Chair, Cllr O’Brien wished to put on record his gratitude to the staff and colleagues for their assistance. “It’s been a hugely enjoyable year, a very progressive year, I want to thank everybody from our Director to Brian, all of the staff in the Scariff office, I would like put my appreciation on record for the work they do, their help and cooperation at all times for the work they do for the people of East Clare”.
O’Brien continued, “it has been an honour and a privilege to work with ye over the past twelve months. I would like to thank the press who every bi-monthly turn up and report on activities of Killaloe MD and show that it is not just a talking shop, your work is hugely important, it gets the word out there and shows the Council are doing things”.
Cllr Hayes praised his party colleague for doing “a wonderful job, you did an excellent job in representing us with honour and dignity”. He noted, “it is the third year in a row that we have the Mayor of the county in East Clare so I’d like to congratulate Alan, we’re expecting great things”. Cllr Cooney observed, “it is simply fantastic that we’ve had the Mayor for the last three years in a row”.
Killaloe MD coordinator, Brian McCarthy congratulated the five councillors on their re-election. He praised Cllr O’Brien for his “cooperation, enthusiasm and hard work, together with all elected members the amount of work happening behind the scenes to advance the communities and represent them”.
On the proposal of Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Hayes was nominated as Leas Cathaoirleach, “he is the only man able to row in beside you and help you out, he deserves the role”, Cllr Cooney replied, “you’d be well able to row in beside me if you wanted to”. The proposal was seconded by Cllr O’Brien.
