Wexford likely to get second country mayor
WEXFORD town is likely to have its second mayor in succession from the country, with the anticipated election of Fine Gael’s Frank Staples tonight (Tuesday, June 28).
Frank, who lives in Ballymore, Mayglass, is set to replace Independent Ger Carthy, from Our Lady’s Island, who held the office for the past 12 months.
The deputy mayor’s position, in what is officially the borough district of Wexford, is likely to go to former county council chairman, Cllr Tony Dempsey.
It isn’t yet clear yet who will be contest the election at the meeting, due to take place at the Wexford Arts Centre, however, the ‘alliance’ of PPP, Sinn Fein and Independents says it will field candidates.
Given the political make up of the council they are unlikely to succeed.
‘We will be putting someone forward, but we don’t know it will be yet,’ said Independent Cllr Davy Hynes when asked if he would be nominated.
‘It will be the usual six to four vote though. We had hoped they would take on board that the first five elected should be mayors and the other five should be deputies, but that doesn’t seem to be the case,’ he told this newspaper.
Outgoing Mayor Cllr Carthy thanked his fellow members for their cooperation and support in his last borough Council meeting as mayor last week.
‘ Thank you very much for your cooperation,’ he said. ‘I hope I was fair to everyone. This has been a very good council to be part of.’
Cllr Staples said he wished to thank the mayor for doing his job ‘with honour and distinction’.
‘I’m sure your father would be very proud.’
Meanwhile, Cllr Deirdre Wadding said that he had filled the shoes admirably and thanked him for his work over the past 12 months.
Cllr Hynes acknowledged that the job is ‘not easy’ and commended Mayor Carthy for doing a ‘great job’.