New Labour councillor co-opted to Louth County Council

A new Labour councillor was co-opted to Louth County Council at the local authority's March meeting in the County Hall last Monday.

Cllr Emma Cutlip was co-opted to Louth County Council, to fill the Casual Vacancy of the seat vacated by her Labour party colleague, Cllr Fiachra MacRaghnaill, who chose to stand down as a councillor.

Cllr Pio Smith told the meeting that he was sorry to see Fiachra MacRaghnaill go, and that he was very much involved in the policy work of the Council but decided "that it wasn't for him", adding that it "was great to see Emma stepping forward."

A number of other councillors spoke at the meeting, welcoming Cllr Cutlip to Louth County Council, including Cllr Joanna Byrne, Cllr James Byrne and Cllr Kevin Callan from the Drogheda Urban Electoral Area, Cllr Paula Butterly from Ardee Electoral Area and Cllr Marianne Butler.

Chief Executive Joan Martin welcomed Cllr Cutlip to the local authority, saying there had already been a number of co-options to the Council this year, adding "I don't think we're quite finished yet."

Cllr Cutlip thanked the members for the welcome, saying that it was a very special day for her and her family for many reasons. She told the meeting "that this time five years ago we had ended a short period of homelessness, and it was Drogheda that welcomed us after that.

"To come in the short space of five years, from being homeless to being a representative for the town that welcomed us so well is absolutely mind blowing and its an absolute honour and privilege."