Longford's new Cathaoirleach: Cllr Gerry Hagan elected
Cllr Gerry Hagan will now take over from Cllr Garry Murtagh as Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, while Cllr Mark Casey will take over from Niall Gannon as Leas Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Gerry Hagan has been elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council today, Friday June 19. The proposal was submitted by Cllr Paul Ross and seconded by Cllr Turlough McGovern.
The new Cathaoirleach Cllr Hagan will now take over the reins from Cllr Garry Murtagh, who received widespread praise from council colleagues for the work he carried out during the previous 12 months in the role.
Addressing the chamber, Cllr Murtagh described the position as having been “a great honour and a privilege” to have held, and thanked his colleagues and family.
As many commended the outgoing chairman’s phenomenal work ethic and dedication, Cllr Peggy Nolan described him as an exceptional Cathaoirleach and humorously thanked him for not having used the bell to quieten her during council meetings.
Following the official handover of the chain during the AGM, which was also attended by Deputy Micheál Carrigy TD and Senator Paraic Brady, the new Cathaoirleach Gerry Hagan told the chamber that he wanted to use his position to highlight Longford’s strengths as a thriving place to do business, shop, work, and live.
I will endeavour to be the best ambassador for Longford over the next 12 months. I will leave no stone unturned and there will be no lack of effort in my work to make Longford the number one place in the country
Cllr Hagan paid a touching tribute to his late parents, Jim and Rose and acknowledged the support of his sisters Eithne, Mary, Teresa and Sheila, who were in attendance, and that of his two sisters Eleanor and Louise who were watching online from abroad.
With many commending his strong work ethic, relentless commitment, honesty, and ability to get the job done, there was solid cross-party praise for Cllr Hagan.
Cllr Peggy Nolan was one of a number of representatives who commended the fact that Cllr Hagan had voluntarily reduced his hours as a school teacher, accepting a cut in salary in doing so, in order to dedicate more time to his duties as Cathaoirleach.
There was also no shortage of good humour with Cllr Turlough McGovern announcing he was very much looking forward to seeing Cllr Hagan being the one to welcome King Charles to the county, a banterful reference to the recent motion that was passed by the council to invite the monarch to the county.
Ending his address to the council, the new Cathaoirleach said, “I will endeavour to be the best ambassador for Longford over the next 12 months. I will leave no stone unturned and there will be no lack of effort in my work to make Longford the number one place in the country”
You can read the full report in next week’s Longford Leader.
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