Council municipal districts elect new chairs at AGM
Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady was elected Mayor of Sligo Borough District at its Annual General meeting held last Friday.
Councillor O’Grady was proposed by Councillor Declan Bree, seconded by Councillor TomMacSharry, and unanimously elected. Councillor Arthur Gibbons was elected Deputy Mayor.
Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Gino O’Boyle convened a minute’s silence at the start of the meeting as a mark of respect to the late Garda Detective Colm Horkan.
Councillor O’Grady said she welcomed the challenge of working with her colleagues, the elected members and Council Executive to see Sligo grow and develop.
“The experience of recent months has shown that the power of friendship is our greatest gift.
“Over the period of the Covid emergency, we have seen extraordinary community spirit and resolve, and we have all witnessed the courage and professionalism of our front line workers.”
Noting that 2020 is designated ‘Year of nurses and midwives’, Mayor O’Grady said: “As a former nurse, I believe our nursing staff and other health professionals excel throughout their careers, and recent experience has proven that our appreciation for their efforts should not be confined to the current year.”
The newly elected Mayor expressed her optimism for the future of Sligo.
“No one can doubt the difficulties facing our economy and our society in light of the Covid pandemic.
“But there are many reasons to be positive, and there a vibrancy and optimism by the many projects being delivered locally – the cultural plaza, Eastern Bridge, Western Distributor Road and other major capital projects.
“Sligo is blessed with a wealth of walkways, trails and amenities, and these have enhanced and transformed communities all over our county.
“When we work in active partnership with other key local agencies, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”
Councillor Thomas Walsh has been elected Chair of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District at the AGM last Friday afternoon.
Councillor Walsh was proposed by Councillor Casserly seconded by Councillor Fox, and unanimously elected. Councillor Tom Fox was elected Leas Cathaoirleach
Outgoing Chair Cllr Tom Fox convened a minute’s silence at the start of the meeting as a mark of respect to the late Garda Detective Colm Horkan.
In his address, Councillor Walsh thanked “the essential workers who kept us safe and well during the past three months and also to all those in our communities across our municipal area who have helped fight the recent virus and comply with the recent regulations.
“We all played our part in ensuring Sligo is the best performing county in country in eliminating new infection cases.”
He added: “I sincerely do hope that there is a new focus towards rural Ireland and that we are positively prioritised towards and see a real strategy for balanced regional development in the new Government.
“One regional item I want to specifically mention is the development and modernisation of our University Hospital which I think we all agree needs investment.
“It’s an exciting time for our county. We have so many capital projects ongoing and many soon to begin including the N4, Western Distributor, O’Connell Street revamp, N4/N15 Sligo Urban Improvement Scheme, Stephen Street Cultural Plaza, the Eastern Garavogue Bridge and the development and upgrade of the L and K block at Institute of Technology, Sligo.”
He also praised volunteers around the county who do amazing work in a number of different areas.
“I want to give a special mention to one sector which I believe we owe so much too in our county.
“We have about 400 community groups made up of volunteers from tidy towns, to defibrillator groups, to development groups to sports clubs.
“The unsung heroes; Those volunteers in each village, in each community whom give hours of their time on a voluntary basis to do so much positive work in their communities. To them I say ‘ thank you.”
Councillor Michael Clarke has been elected Chair of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District at the AGM. Councillor Clarke was proposed by Councillor Joe Queenan, seconded by Councillor Dara Mulvey and unanimously elected. Councillor Martin Connolly was elected Leas Cathaoirleach
Outgoing Chair Cllr Paul Taylor convened a minute’s silence at the start of the meeting as a mark of respect to the late Garda Detective Colm Horkan.
In his address, Councillor Clarke said he looked forward to working with the elected members to address the many challenges facing the district and the county.
Councillor Clarke commended Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes and the executive for their work in progressing Sligo in recent years, which had seen many projects delivered and in the pipeline.
One of his priorities will be dealing with issues facing our rural communities, and he proposed to focus on planning policies and the disenfranchisement of rural voters over the course of his term.
Sligo County Council Chairs and
Vice- Chairs Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Dara Mulvey Leas- Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Dónal Gilroy
Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Michael Clarke Leas- Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Martin Connolly
Borough District of Sligo Mayor - Cllr. Rosaleen O’Grady Deputy Mayor - Cllr. Arthur Gibbons
Municipal District of Sligo-Drum
cliff Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Thomas Walsh Leas- Cathaoirleach - Cllr. Tom Fox