History made in Athlone MD

History was made in the council chamber last week as Independent councillor Emer Kelly and Fine Gael councillor Valerie Duffy became the first female Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach of Athlone Municipal District.

At the MD’s annual general meeting, Cllr Kelly was proposed and seconded for the position of chair by outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Dominick Connolly and his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Valerie Duffy.

Cllr Duffy was proposed and seconded for the vice-chair by Cllr Connolly and Independent councillor Laurence Fallon.

In her opening statement as the new Athlone MD Cathaoirleach, Cllr Kelly said it was a “tremendous honour” to be selected for the role and thanked Cllr Connolly for his smooth running of proceedings over his term as chair.

Key schemes she highlighted as areas of focus for her tenure were the ongoing safety improvement works on the N61, the Hodson Bay tourism project and the “Putting the Heart into Monksland” regeneration project.

The new Cathaoirleach also looked forward to strengthening relationships with Westmeath and Galway County Councils.

*Published under the Local Democracy Scheme