The King Maker! Lanesboro Independent Mark Casey to be new Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council

Independent councillor Mark Casey will be the first Cathaoirleach of the newly elected Longford County Council.

The Lanesboro based representative finalised a deal with Fine Gael on Tuesday of this week. Casey was previously elected Cathaoirleach of the council in 2014.

The other independent councillor, Turlough McGovern, will also support Fine Gael for the next five years.

The main parties are locked at eight seats apiece following the outcome of the Local Elections.

Also read: Fine Gael strike deal with Independents to retain control of Longford council

Under the agreement brokered, the other councillors to take the chair of the council will be Garry Murtagh (year 2), Paraic Brady (year 3), Turlough McGovern (year 4) and Gerry Hagan (year 5).

The new group leader of Fine Gael in Longford County Council is Paul Ross. Ross topped the poll in the Ballymahon LEA with 1,300 first preferences.

Also read: Fine Gael polls 13% higher than Fianna Fáil in Longford local elections as the parties share sixteen seats

Ross replaces Colm Murray in this role. Murray, the outgoing Cathaoirleach, lost his seat in last week’s elections.

The Fine Gael whip for this council term will be Paraic Brady from the Granard municipal district.

Also read: Six new faces and three recounts as Longford local elections produce plenty of drama