Cllr Robert Nash elected Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District

Louth County Councillor, Robert Nash, was elected Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District at the Annual Meeting, held on Tuesday evening at the Town Hall in Dundalk.

Ahead of the election of the new Cathaoirleach, outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seán Kelly, told the members that the old chain of office for Dundalk, that dated back to 1901 had been located. Cllr Kelly went on to say that the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) met the previous month and decided that the old chain of office could be used going forward. Cllr Kelly also proposed that the newer chain of office would be used by the Leas Cathaoirleach.

Before the election of the new Cathaoirleach, Cllr Kelly thanked the members and the executive for their support during his term as Cathaoirleach. Cllr Kelly also thanked his family and supporters for their support, and also the public who voted to elect him and is fellow members as councillors to represent them.

Members at the meeting commended Cllr Kelly for his time as Cathaoirleach, including Cllr Kevin Meenan, Cllr Marianne Butler, Cllr Ciarán Fisher, Cllr Robert Nash, Cllr Emma Coffey, Cllr Maeve Yore and Cllr John Reilly. Director of Services, Mr Thomas McEvoy, also thanked and commended Cllr Kelly on behalf of the staff and Chief Executive of Louth County Council.

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Following this, nominations were called for the role of incoming Cathaoirleach. Cllr John Reilly nominated his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Robert Nash for the role, with the nomination being seconded by Independent Councillor Ciarán Fisher.

Cllr Antóin Watters nominated his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Fiona Mhic Conchoille for the role also, with the nomination being seconded by Cllr Kevin Meenan.

A role call vote was then taken, with Cllr Nash receiving seven votes from Cllrs Emma Coffey, Ciarán Fisher, Shane McGuinness, Andrea McKevitt, Robert Nash and John Reilly. Cllr Mhic Conchoille received three votes, from Cllrs Kevin Menan, Antóin Watters and Fiona Mhic Conchoille.

_{Below: Cllr Robert Nash with his mother, following Tuesday evening's meeting.}

Cllr Maeve Yore, who earlier criticised the voting pact, abstained from the vote, as well as Cllr Marianne Butler. With seven votes, Cllr Nash was deemed elected to the role.

Cllr Nash was congratulated by the members from each of the political parties, as well as Independents, on his election. Cllr Kevin Meenan noted however, that it was unfortunate that the voting pact was used and added that there could have been a fairer way to do things, but added that Cllr Nash would have his support during his term.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following the meeting, Cllr Nash said that he was delighted to be elected and he felt "humbled and so proud that they have faith to put me forward for the [role of] Cathaoirleach. I'm really looking forward to the year ahead, working hard for the people of Dundalk.

"We have a great bunch of councillors in the Chamber, and party politics aside, we all get on the best, we all work the hardest we can for the people of Dundalk and surrounding areas. I'm really looking forward to working with these [councillors]. I think the world of these councillors, and hopefully the year ahead will be a good one."