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Mayor of Tralee MD, Cllr Graham Spring, Cathaoirleach of South/West Municipal District, Cllr Norma Moriarty, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley, Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District Cllr Aoife Thornton and Cathaoirleach of Killarney MD, John Sheahan at Council Chambers on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was an emotional day for Cllr Norma Foley as she took up the position of Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council this afternoon.
The Tralee woman, who was first elected to Tralee Town Council in 1994, has become Kerry’s ‘First Citizen’ for the first time, having already held the Mayor of Tralee role on three occasions, including over the past year.
The Presentation Secondary School teacher is just the fourth woman to chair Kerry County Council and follows in the footsteps of her father Denis who was chairman on two occasions.
In her speech she remembered her father and spoke of the influence he had on her life.
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“As a family, we carry the pain of his passing every day. He was in every sense our guiding light, a pivotal and central presence in all our lives. I remember him with pride, gratitude and affection this afternoon and I have no doubt he is on my shoulder as he is every day, the only difference is that shy, retiring smile of his is just that bit broader today,” she said.
In a moment of light-heartedness, Cllr Foley assured councillors that despite her teaching background, she would not be introducing a ‘naughty step’ or a ‘bold corner’ for misbehaving members of the local authority in the monthly meetings ahead.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr Foley spoke of the entrepreneurial spirit of Kerry people and the strength of our tourism product.
“As mayor I will seek to grow and enhance our economic and business role and further develop critical linkages with the Institute of Technology Tralee, the Kerry Technology Park and indeed grow our local, national and international business portfolio in the county,” she said.
Roads and infrastructure and the council’s housing programme were also mentioned as priority issues, as well as “shining a light on the outstanding efforts of communities and community activists the length and breadth of county Kerry who are working tirelessly, day in day out, to best serve this Kingdom we call home.”
Cllr Foley also gave thanks to her husband, Denis, her mother Hanna and her brother and sisters who were in the public gallery with their families, for their support.
Also taking place this morning were the elections of Cathaoirleach and Mayors in the Municipal Districts. Cllr Graham Spring is the new Mayor of Tralee MD, Cathaoirleach of South-West MD is Cllr Norma Moriarty, Cathaoirleach of Killarney MD is John Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Listowel MD is Cllr Aoife Thornton. Scroll down for photos…
Cathaoirleach of South/West Municipal District, Norma Moriarty, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Norma Foley and Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District Aoife Thornton at Council Chambers on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley with her husband Denis Maguire, mother Hanna and nieces and nephews Ciara Foley, Conor Costello, Nicholas Tarrant, Bena Costello and Ella Louise Costello.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley with extended family and supporters at Council Chamber on Monday. Photo by Dermot Crean
