CLOGHEEN COUNCILLOR MAKES HISTORY AS NEW CATHAOIRLEACH
Fine Gael councillor and Clogheen native, Marie Murphy, has been elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council.
The vote for Cllr Murphy was unanimous at the AGM last Friday, held in the The Borrisoleigh GAA Sports Complex. It is the first time that someone from Clogheen in South Tipperary has been elected as chairperson.
Cllr Murphy represents the Cahir Local Electoral Area, and was first elected to South Tipperary County Council in 2009. She will take over from Fianna Fáil councillor, Michael Smith.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Siobhan Ambrose was appointed as Leas- Cathaoirleach, making this the second time that two women will hold the positions of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach for Tipperary County Council.
Cllr Murphy was proposed for the position by Fine Gael councillor, Michael Fitzgerald, and seconded by colleague Cllr Ger Darcy, who both praised her work ethic and commitment to the electorate.
Cllr Murphy accepted the position, with thanks to her colleagues.
“I am absolutely honoured to have been elected chairperson of Tipperary County Council for the coming year. I am deeply grateful to all of the elected members of Tipperary County Council for giving me the privilege of serving as Cathaoirleach. I promise that I will wear these chains with pride and dedication.”
The Clogheen native said she was delighted to be making history by being the first from chairperson from her home place.
“I’m certainly the first in the Cahir Local Electoral Area elected chairperson of Tipperary County Council and I believe that I’m the first person from Clogheen to be Cathaoirleach of either South Tipp or Tipperary County Council.
“It’s a great honour for me and my family and I’m deeply grateful to all of the elected members for giving me the privilege of serving as Cathaoirleach for the coming year and the fact that it was unanimous as well, that was a nice position.”