*Cllr Tony O’Brien. Photograph: Martin Connolly
KILLALOE REPRESENTATIVE, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) is set to be elected as the county’s first citizen today (Friday).
First elected to Clare County Council in 2004, Tony was one of four Fianna Fáil representatives to lose out in 2009 alongside Bernard Hanrahan, Peter Considine and Tom Prendeville. He has been successful in his attempts to win a seat on the local authority in 2014 and 2019.
A retired bus inspector with Bus Éireann, Tony in recent seasons stepped down as the secretary of Smith O’Briens GAA club in Killaloe, a role he had held for many years.
On Friday, O’Brien will succeed Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) in the post of Cathaoirleach (Mayor) at the Annual General Meeting of Clare County Council with Cllr Ann Norton (IND) anticipated to be elected as Leas Cathaoirleach (Deputy Mayor) replacing Cllr Joe Killeen (FF).
Annual General Meetings are also being held in each Municipal District. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) is the new Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District with Cllr Michael Begley (IND) to become Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District for the first time, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) will take on the equivalent role in the Killaloe Municipal District with Cllr Shane Talty (FF) sitting into the post of Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District.
