Cllr Liam Callaghan elected new Council Cathaoirleach

Fine Gael councillor Liam Callaghan has been elected the new Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council.

Cllr Callaghan becomes the new chairperson of the council following a unanimous endorsement by elected members at Monday’s annual meeting of Roscommon County Council. Cllr Callaghan was proposed by Cllr Ruth Conboy (FG) and seconded by Cllr John Keogh (FF).

The Rathmoyle native was selected unopposed for the next twelve months and replaces outgoing Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice.

Cllr John Keogh (FF) was unanimously elected the new Leas Chathaoirleach. He was proposed by Cllr Sean Moylan (FF) and seconded by Cllr Domnick Connolly.

Cllr Keogh replaces outgoing vice-chairperson, Fianna Fáil councillor Larry Brennan.

In his first address as Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Callaghan said it was a bittersweet moment for him and his family after laying his father Tom and former Council Cathaoirleach to rest just three weeks ago.

He pointed out that his election as first citizen of the county means that he becomes part of just the second father and son pairing to be elected Roscommon Council Cathaoirleach, following in the footsteps of former councillor Ivan Connaughton and his late father Martin.

At the start of the meeting, outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Fitzmaurice proposed a minute's silence in memory of Tom Callaghan, and the late councillors Tony Waldron and John Naughten were also remembered.

Cllr Fitzmaurice was also thanked for his contribution as Cathaoirleach over the current term of the council.

*See full report in tomorrow's edition of the Roscommon Herald