CLLR JOE KILLEEN (FF) has been unanimously elected Mayor of County Clare and Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
The Corofin native will hold the highest office in local government for the next 12 months, alongside his party colleague Tony Mulcahy who was chosen as Leas-Chathaoirleach.
TDs past and present attended the Council’s AGM at headquarters, including former Minister for Defence and Joe’s first cousin Tony Killeen (FF) as well as Joe Cooney (FG), Cathal Crowe (FF) and Timmy Dooley (FF). Senator Martin Conway (FG) was also present at the meeting alongside several members of Killeen’s extended family.
Attendees were treated to a photo montage of outgoing Cathaoirleach’s time in office, the highlight of which was his charity cycle from Loop Head to Whitegate, raising over €5000 for Samaritans. As his time wearing the chain of office drew to a close, cllr Paul Murphy (FG) thanked all members of staff in Clare County Council as well as it’s elected representatives while referencing “the fantastic opportunity”, he was given to attend the Milwaukee Irish Fest and visit the Clare diaspora in New York.
Murphy delivered a heartfelt tribute to his colleague John Corry whom he identified as an exemplary public servant. There is one man present here today who has literally been by my side and will be my colleague when I return and that is John Corry. There’s no possible finer public servant or individual than John”, the Clarecastle native added.
Cllr Joe Killeen was then proposed to the position of Cathaoirleach by his colleague cllr Tom O’Callaghan who referred to him as “my close and dear friend”. Seconding the proposal, cllr Pat Daly (FF) added that Joe was “as cool as you would ever meet”, and predicted that “there won’t be a cow milked in Corofin tonight”, after Killeen’s appointment.
Beginning his acceptance speech, Cllr Killeen stated that he was “humbled and privileged”, to take up the role of Cathaoirleach and wasted no time in outlining his policies for the coming year, namely the promotion of tourism, increasing access to housing and improving road infrastructure in the county.
He remarked that “A rising tide lifts all boats and tourism has the potential to create and sustain employment”. He also stressed the importance of utilising local transport services such as the Burren explorer bus, warning of a “use it or lose it” scenario regarding future assessments of the service’s value.
The former head of the INTO then discussed housing as a priority, noting that the solution lies in inter-agency partnership and saying, “Cooperation and collaboration is the only way we’re going to solve the housing crisis”. Furthermore, he hopes that upcoming rural housing pipelines will “free up some of the regulations which are putting more obstacles in place and slowing down the development of rural housing”, in Clare.
The Corofin native outlined that the council “must secure more funding from the central government for road maintenance. Our road crews do a stellar job but more resources are needed”. Killeen also highlighted the ongoing “quest for a hospital in Ennis”, and pledged to do more for those living far from university hospitals.
Killeen thanked his wife Marian and sons for their continued support and was warmly congratulated by newly elected Ennis Mayor cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) who said that while Killeen may have a reputation as a “part-time farmer, all he ever does is farming”.
