County Hall
CORK County Council has selected its new county mayor to replace Cllr Jim Daly who was elected a Fine Gael TD, topping the poll in the Cork South West constituency at the recent general election.
The mayoralty was passed to Mr Daly’s Fine Gael colleague, Kinsale-based Cllr Kevin Murphy who was unsuccessful in his bid for a Dáil seat at the general election.
Cllr Murphy has been a member of Cork County Council since 1988 and is a former Chairperson of Cork County Council.
A dairy farmer, he is a member of Kinsale Harbour Board and the West Cork Development Partnership.
Three new Fine Gael county councillors also took their seats yesterday after seats became vacant following the general election.
Tommy Sheehan replaces Tom Barry, Gerry Sullivan takes over from Noel Harrington and Noel O’Donovan replaces Jim Daly.
Sinn Fein has yet to select a council replacement for Sandra McLellan who was elected to the Dáil in Cork East, while new TD Jonathon O’Brien was replaced by his election agent Mick Nugent on Cork City Council.
A row had erupted among Fine Gael supporters in Cork North Central regarding a replacement on the city council for newly elected TD Dara Murphy.
At a recent party meeting Murphy supporter Joe Kavangah was selected to take the TD’s council seat.
The selection prompted a walk out by 14 supporters of rival Derek Connolly who all resigned from their local branch in protest.
Despite the row, Mr Kavanagh replaced Mr Murphy in the council chamber.
One has to question the ethics of passing the Mayor’s position to an individual who failed to get eloected as a TD ! After the individual clearly had lost interest in represesnting his constituents as a Councillor. Is this what the mayor’s position is ? Just a consolation prize to be poassed around ? Better to abolish the office and save money.
Dont agree at all. Where is the evidence he has lost interest? If fact its exactly the opposite. He has shown commitment.
Ah, let me see …. he wanted to be a TD and not a Councillor !
In fact that is a perenial problem in Ireland – people using local politics as a springboard for the Dail or Senate.