New councillors debut

Two new Sinn Fein councillors were welcomed when they attended their first meeting of Louth County Council on Monday.

Former Argus reporter Cllr Anne Campbell (pictured) and Cllr Ruairi O Mhurchu have been co-opted in place of Jennifer Green and Kevin Meenan, both representing Dundalk South.

Cllr Campbell thanked the party for selected her and paid tribute to Jennifer Green and Kevin Meehan for their work over the years. She promised to do her best as she began working on the Council. Cllr O Mhurcu thanked his friends and colleagues in Sinn Fein for supporting him and paid tribute to Kevin Meenan who had been a councillor for 18 years and did tremendous work throughout the area. Cllr Pearse McGeough said Cllr Meenan had been an outstanding public representative and worked tirelessly for his constituents in Dundalk South and particularly in Muirhevnamor. He worked for the weakest in society and gave a voice to the community and the in turned supported him.

Cllr Marianne Butler recalled how her- self and Jennifer Green had made history when as two women they handed over the chains of office to one and other.

Chairperson Cllr Oliver Tully welcomed the new councillors and wished Jennifer Green and Kevin Meenan well.

Chief Executive Ms Josan Martin joined the tributes, particularly Kevin who had been forced to give up the job he clearly loved because of ill health. They were both very passionate councillors and the staff had a very good relationship with them.

She congratulated the two new councillors on their appointment and said she looked forward to working with them in the years ahead.