End-of-school feeling as elections approach

With members deciding to forego the June meeting which was scheduled for the day before voting in the Local Elections, there was an end of school feeling to the May get-together.

However, while students would be looking forward to the summer holidays, the councillors of Ardee Municipal District were bracing themselves for the final weeks of the campaign trail.

All six – three women and three men are hoping to return. They look like being in a field of 14.

Cllrs Dolores Minogue, John Sheridan, Jim Tenanty and Pearse McGeough will be seeking re-election, while Cllrs Paula Butterly and Bernie Conlon are going before the electorate for the first time.

Cllr Butterly was co-opted as a member of Louth County Council in February 2021, replacing Colm Markey, now MEP for Ireland North West.

Sadly, Cllr Hugh Conlon passed away later the same year, and his widow Bernie was co-opted.

Cllr John Sheridan took a moment to remember the late Cllr Conlon.

Director of Services, Joe McGuinness, said it was brave ‘to put your head above the parapet’ to seek election.

He remarked that the councillors had been a pleasure to deal with.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Minogue said it had been a very good five years with healthy debate and all for the betterment of the area.

She was congratulated on her year in the chair by Fine Gael party colleague Cllr Butterly.

Senior Executive Engineer Declan MacMahon, who announced that he would be soon retiring, commented that it could be seen at meetings how hard the councillors worked.

Mr McGuinness acknowledged Mr MacMahon as one of the hardest working engineers. He had served well Louth County Council and Ardee Municipal District.