‘We must deliver key Longford projects,’ says Cathaoirleach

Councillor Garry Murtagh was commended for his dedicated community work, his warmth and work-ethic as he was appointed as Longford's new first citizen last Friday and he vowed he "wants to achieve a lot more" for the county.

The Colmcille man was proposed for the prestigious Cathaoirleach role by his party colleague Cllr Paul Ross and seconded by Cllr Gerry Hagan replacing outgoing chairman Cllr Mark Casey.

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Cllr Ross said it was a proud day for north county Longford and Fine Gael to be able to nominate Cllr Murtagh as Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council.

"He was first elected in 2019 with our Oireachtas colleague Micheál Carrigy and our Senator Paraic Brady, Garry came from a very strong, voluntary working background as a coordinator of Tús (community work placement scheme) and also working with the Leebeen Park Development Committee.

"Leebeen Park has been the jewel in the crown of Colmcille for many years and since Garry has got elected he moved on from that voluntary capacity to a full-time capacity rejuvenating Colmcille.

"That culminated into the development of Leebeen and also the fantastic walks that Garry incorporated into most of Colmcille."

Cllr Ross and Cllr Hagan both praised Cllr Murtagh for getting the highest first preference vote in the Granard Municipal District area in the history of the state in the 2024 local elections when he captured 1,450 first preference votes.

Cllr Hagan said it gave him great pleasure to second the motion and he stated it was a proud day for Garry's wife Lorraine, two children Maya and Ben and his parents Josie and Kathleen.

"I know Garry all of my life watching him play centre half back on the Colmcille team.

"He's a teak tough defender and he carried this great work ethic into politics.

Cllr Hagan said he got to know Cllr Murtagh personally in 2018 and he was delighted he was the candidate for the Colmcille, Dromard area in the 2019 local election when he "easily got elected" at his first attempt.

"He is a very genuine guy, what you see is what you get and it doesn't matter if you're two or 92 Garry takes a great interest in you and his warmth and welcome to everybody is second to none.

"It's a great day for Garry's family, first his own nuclear family of Lorraine, Mya and Ben, it's a huge achievement and a great honour for you as a family.

Cllr Murtagh said he was honoured to be appointed Cathoirleach and he thanked Cllr Ross, Cllr Hagan and all of the local representatives he has worked alongside during the past six years.

"I have personally learnt a good bit from them and I hope to bring that experience and knowledge with me into the chamber here as Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council.

"I believe that the members I served with in the council in the previous five years as with the current members that are here, that their heart has always been county Longford first.

"In order for a county like ours to thrive and develop we must deliver key projects in and for our county town.

"I will work tirelessly with my fellow members and with the staff of Longford County Council to ensure we get the sod turned for the new IDA building, the delivery of the THRIVE funding [the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme] for Connolly Barracks and further development of The Mall in Longford town.

"There are also exciting projects coming down the line for Ballymahon with their pedestrian and cycleway and the Blueways in North Longford not to mention lots of other projects that are being lined up by other councillors."

Cllr Murtagh acknowledged "the staff of Longford County Council, the directors of services and the chief executive" for their work and commitment to the county.

"We have achieved a lot and I hope under my term as Cathaoirleach we can achieve a lot more," he added.

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Cllr Niall Gannon was appointed Leas Cathaoirleach after being nominated by Cllr Ross and Cllr Hagan.

They praised his hard work during his first 12-months as a local representative.

Cllr said he was delighted to take on the role and he pledged to work hard alongside his party colleague Cllr Murtagh and to support him as deputy chair.