New Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Pat McCarthy, accepts the congratulations of outgoing Mayor, John Brassil at Kerry County Council on Monday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
A BALLYMACELLIGOTT man was elected the new Mayor of Kerry County Council on Monday afternoon at Kerry County Council.
The Fine Gael man was the second Ballymac native to be elected on Monday, as Fianna Fáil councillor, Tom McEllistrim became Mayor of Tralee Municipal District that morning.
Cllr Bobby O’Connell (FG) proposed Cllr McCarthy and this was seconded by Cllr Jim Finucane(FG). However, he had some opposition as Cllr Robert Beasley proposed Cllr Donal O’Grady (Ind), for the position, which was seconded by Cllr Sam Locke (Ind).
In the ensuing vote, Cllr McCarthy was elected by 19 votes to 11 (three councillors were absent).
Cllr Pat McCarthy of Fine Gael accepted the chain of office from outgoing Mayor, Fianna Fáil Cllr John Brassil, who was praised by all for his leadership and his exemplary representation of the county over the past year.
Mayor McCarthy in his address to the Council thanked his colleagues and described it as a huge honour to take the position.
The new Mayor said job creation in Kerry would be a priority during his time in the position and he urged cross-party co-operation in dealing with the issue.
