Murray invokes spirit of JFK as he takes over as Longford County Council Cathaoirleach

In September 1960, JFK said, ‘Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction’ prompting Cllr Murray to remark;

“I have no doubt that the members of Longford County Council have the purpose and direction they need to see Longford progress. With effort and courage, we’ll get there.”

Cllr Murray, from Kenagh, was unopposed for the role and he was proposed and seconded by his Fine Gael party colleagues, Cllr Paul Ross and Cllr Peggy Nolan. He succeeds Cllr Turlough McGovern.

Cllr Murray was 24 years old when he was co-opted to take the late Paddy Belton’s seat in 2013, and he was subsequently elected in 2014 and retained his seat in the 2019 local election.

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Fine Gael's Cllr Garry Murtagh was elected unopposed as Leas Cathaoirleach and he was proposed and seconded by Cllr Gerry Hagan, the outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach, and Cllr Paraic Brady.

Describing it as a great honour to follow in the footsteps of the select number of people who have held the position of Cathaoirleach over the past 124 years, Cllr Murray said he hoped to serve as diligently and with the dedication they did.

He highlighted that when he first became interested in politics at secondary school back in the early 2000’s, the main issues were education and healthcare provision and his interest was influenced by his national and local representatives at the time, Louis J and Paddy Belton.

He thanked his family, friends and many great supporters, those with us and those no longer with us, who’s collective influence and support brought him to the position he now holds.

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The Cathaoirleach commended his predecessor. “Turlough started out his term last year telling us he was a man of few words. And so he was, but he always managed to find the right words, make the best decisions and put forward a positive case for Longford. He’s a model for how the job should be done.”

Cllr Murray pointed out that sitting as chair of any local authority is a prestigious position. “However,” he added, “with the prestige must come a plan.”

Over the course of his term as Cathaoirleach, he has a number of priority areas, including securing infrastructure investment for Longford and building ties with the industrial and enterprise sector and to secure an advance IDA facility in the county.

Cllr Murray wants to see continued investment in community facilities throughout the county and accelerated investment in housing, not just in social housing, but in affordable housing schemes too.

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In an excellent and wide ranging address, he also spoke about ensuring developments at St Joseph’s hospital campus come to fruition, holding an event that demonstrates the work the local authority can do in conjunction with our farming community, and formulating a plan on how best Longford can benefit from Just Transition funding.

Cllr Murray said he is looking forward to the events planned to mark the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Ballinamuck and said it is his intention to celebrate the huge contribution made to Irish life by General Sean MacEoin in this the 50th anniversary of his death.