New Cathaoirleach elected to Louth County Council

Cllr Paula Butterly was elected to serve as Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council at the Annual Meeting which took place on Monday at the County Hall in Dundalk.

Cllr Andrea McKevitt was also elected at the meeting, for a second year running, to serve as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Two councillors were nominated for the role of Cathaoirleach, with Cllr Dolores Mingoue nominating Cllr Butterly, and Cllr Pearse McGeough nominating Cllr Kevin Meenan.

Following a roll call vote, Cllr Butterly was elected to the position of Cathaoirleach by a majority of 15 to six, with a number of absentees and the abstension of Independent councillors, Cllr Maeve Yore, Cllr Bernie Conlon and Cllr Paddy McQuillan.

Three councillors contested the role of Leas Cathaoirleach - Cllr Antóin Watters, Cllr Paddy McQuillan and Cllr Andrea McKevitt. Following a roll call vote, Cllr Andrea McKevitt was elected, with 16 votes, with Cllr Watters receiving six votes and Cllr McQuillan receiving three votes.

Prior to the election of the new Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach, outgoing Cathaoirleach Conor Keelan thanked the members for their support during the year. Cllr Keelan was congratulated from members from across the chamber for his contribution during his year in office.

Following her election as the new Cathaoirleach, Cllr Butterly was congratulated by members at the meeting, as well as by Chief Executive Joan Martin. The new Cathaoirleach was also presented with a framed St Brigid's Cross by Cllr John Reilly.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following her election, the Cathaoirleach said, “It's a great honour to follow in the footsteps of such a great chair we had last year, Conor Keelan, and other predecessors.

“I look forward to working with all the members of the chamber, they've always been cooperative and collaborative, so I hope that continues in 2023/2024.”

Speaking on her achievements since being co-opted to the Council in 2021, Cllr Butterly said, “it's been very much a whirlwind experience and learning on the job, from the moment I went in.

“We had the development plan to adopt, and there's always some issue on the table, however I have great interest in what I am doing so therefore I try to be as prepared as I possibly can be when I come in.”