Emma takes the chair
SEEING Dundalk fully reopened is the main priority of Emma Coffey who has been elected cathaoirleach of Dundalk municipal district.
For that to happen following the effects of coronavirus the Fianna Fáil representative said extra supports are needed from Louth County Council and central government to help businesses.
Cllr Coffey succeeded Cllr John McGahon (FG) in the chair as the long-standing pact between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party held firm.
A solicitor by occupation she beat the only other nominee Cllr Kevin Meenan (SF) by seven votes to 4 in an election at last Tuesday night’s AGM in the Táin Theatre.
The seven votes came from Cllrs Marianne Butler (GP), Emma Coffey, Maria Doyle (FG), Conor Keelan (FF), Seán Kelly (FF), Erin McGreehan (FF) and Liam Reilly (FF).
Independent councillor Maeve Yore sided with Sinn Féin’s Edel Corrigan, Kevin
Meenan and Antóin Watters in supporting Cllr Meenan.
Cllr Tomás Sharkey (SF) was not present, while the seat vacated by John McGahon when he was elected to the Seanad has yet to be filled.
Along the same voting lines, Maria Doyle defeated Edel Corrigan for the position of leas-cathaoirleach.
Cllr Coffey spoke of the unprecedented challenges being faced and noted Dundalk and North Louth were to the forefront; and expressed her sympathy to grieving families.
‘We must comfort our friends.’
She added the crisis has resulted in a strong community spirit being shown and countless acts of charity.
‘If we can harness this, it can help us going forward,’ Cllr Coffey believed.
‘We must be pro-active in shaping our own future.’
She continued the main priority is seeing the town fully re-opened, and stressed the requirement for extra supports from Louth county council and central government to help businesses.
‘Small businesses bind our community together.’
The new cathaoirleach noted the virus was easing ‘due to everyone doing the right thing’.
However, she said Brexit had not gone away, and business will be facing a different challenge.
‘My job is to remind government that Dundalk should have all its rights secured.’
Cllr Coffey pointed out the area has amazing qualities and people have rediscovered hidden gems. She said our cultural tourism should be developed, calling on the government to extend greenways and the Navvy Bank to Blackrock.
She also highlighted the Táin and Seek Festivals, and remarked DkIT attaining advanced university status was a priority.
‘Dundalk can survive and thrive and be on the frontline of recovery.’