logo
New Ardee Cathaoirleach elected amid claims of ‘grubby little deal'

New Ardee Cathaoirleach elected amid claims of ‘grubby little deal'

Irish Independent11 hours ago

The Fine Gael councillor was elected as chair by four votes to two following a roll call at the Annual General Meeting which took place in the Civic Offices in Ardee last week.
But as the new chairperson was installed, there was criticism from one member who described it as 'a grubby little deal.'
Cllr. Pearse McGeough, who had also been nominated for the position, told the meeting that he 'always felt we worked well together, except when it comes to the AGM.'
He said he had 'worked hard all my life fighting on behalf of the disadvantaged and excluded' and criticised what he described as 'the grubby little deal which took place after the last election...it is an anathema to me.'
Cllr. Minogue accepted the chains of office from outgoing Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fail Councillor, John Sheridan.
As he stood down from the role, Cllr. Sheridan told members that he was delighted to see the chains, which date back to the Ardee Town Council era, returned to the town.
He thanked all members for their support over the last year, saying they had 'always worked well together.'
Cllr. Jim Tenanty paid tribute to Cllr. Sheridan, saying 'It was a pleasure working with you' as did Cllr. Rachel Kerley who added her thanks for 'all of the advice.'
Cllr. Bernie Conlon and Cllr. Pearse McGeough added their tributes, saying he had 'operated in a very professional manner' during his time as Cathaoirleach.
Following a vote for the 2025-26 Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Dolores Minogue said she was 'humbled and honoured' to be taking on the role again. She said it was an especially proud day as her late father-in-law had worn the chains of office she was accepting.
Cllr. Minogue highlighted traffic congestion and housing as two of the key areas she planned to tackle on behalf of the people of Ardee and mid-Louth.
The AGM also saw the election of Leas Cathaoirleach.
Cllr. Bernie Conlon was nominated for the role as was Cllr. John Sheridan. Following a roll call Cllr. Sheridan was elected by four votes to two.
Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

New Ardee Cathaoirleach elected amid claims of ‘grubby little deal'
New Ardee Cathaoirleach elected amid claims of ‘grubby little deal'

Irish Independent

time11 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

New Ardee Cathaoirleach elected amid claims of ‘grubby little deal'

The Fine Gael councillor was elected as chair by four votes to two following a roll call at the Annual General Meeting which took place in the Civic Offices in Ardee last week. But as the new chairperson was installed, there was criticism from one member who described it as 'a grubby little deal.' Cllr. Pearse McGeough, who had also been nominated for the position, told the meeting that he 'always felt we worked well together, except when it comes to the AGM.' He said he had 'worked hard all my life fighting on behalf of the disadvantaged and excluded' and criticised what he described as 'the grubby little deal which took place after the last is an anathema to me.' Cllr. Minogue accepted the chains of office from outgoing Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fail Councillor, John Sheridan. As he stood down from the role, Cllr. Sheridan told members that he was delighted to see the chains, which date back to the Ardee Town Council era, returned to the town. He thanked all members for their support over the last year, saying they had 'always worked well together.' Cllr. Jim Tenanty paid tribute to Cllr. Sheridan, saying 'It was a pleasure working with you' as did Cllr. Rachel Kerley who added her thanks for 'all of the advice.' Cllr. Bernie Conlon and Cllr. Pearse McGeough added their tributes, saying he had 'operated in a very professional manner' during his time as Cathaoirleach. Following a vote for the 2025-26 Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Dolores Minogue said she was 'humbled and honoured' to be taking on the role again. She said it was an especially proud day as her late father-in-law had worn the chains of office she was accepting. Cllr. Minogue highlighted traffic congestion and housing as two of the key areas she planned to tackle on behalf of the people of Ardee and mid-Louth. The AGM also saw the election of Leas Cathaoirleach. Cllr. Bernie Conlon was nominated for the role as was Cllr. John Sheridan. Following a roll call Cllr. Sheridan was elected by four votes to two. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme.

Elaine Loughlin: Presidential poker — who's bluffing, who's stalling, and who's really in the race?
Elaine Loughlin: Presidential poker — who's bluffing, who's stalling, and who's really in the race?

Irish Examiner

time3 days ago

  • Irish Examiner

Elaine Loughlin: Presidential poker — who's bluffing, who's stalling, and who's really in the race?

It's gearing up to be a last-minute dash for the Áras as all parties, and none, seem caught up in a game where no one wants to make the first move. With Frances Black all but ruling herself out of the race, the grand plan to put forward one consensus candidate of the left could fall apart before it fully materialises. However, many willing to back her still quietly believe the singer, campaigner and senator wasn't fully serious when she declared in recent days that she is "98%" out of the race. "I wouldn't believe that from Frances Black, she is interested in running for the presidency. I think it's just something that people feel they have to say, I'm not sure why," a TD on the left confidently said. "No one is campaigning, but Frances Black was on The Late Late and she was on radio," the source joked. Whether the belief that Black can still be swayed is borne out of solid information or comes from a place of hope remains to be seen. But if the left is sincere in wanting to put forward a strong consensus candidate, a decision will have to be made soon. Independent TD Catherine Connolly. Picture: Collins Photos Galway TD Catherine Connolly is a name that those on the left have cited as another possibility, but her support may not be as widespread. "There is no way on earth that the Labour party could nominate her," one source said stressing that she had "given the party a kicking" in the past — a party that she resigned from back in 2006 after she failed to be selected in the Galway West constituency as running mate of Michael D Higgins. "There is a deep, deep beef between members in Galway and Catherine Connolly. We would have resignations in Galway if we backed her," the source added. Possible candidate: Katriona O'Sullivan Author and academic Katriona O'Sullivan, as well as former WHO executive director Mike Ryan, have been floated as potentials, but have also failed to develop further than that. "We are keen to have a centre left candidate in the race, someone who can build on the legacy of Michael D. I think it's import that people have a good choice in the election, that it's not just one strong candidate and a load of others," said one Social Democrats TD but added that "nothing has crystalised" out of initial talks with other parties. Likewise, time is ticking down for Fianna Fáil, which has yet to identify a strong individual who is not tainted by the party's handling of the recession. Names including Bertie Ahern and Mary Hanafin have been bandied about but largely dismissed within the party. Others in the mix include sitting MEPs Barry Andrews and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Senior sources have indicated that the only serious option would be to follow the route taken with Mary McAleese in 1997 by selecting a person with close links to the party who does not have the baggage that might come with a previous role as an elected representative. Mairead McGuinness is expected to get the nod from Fine Gael. Fine Gael is now seen to be furthest along in its election selection with former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness widely expected to get the nod after a number of other contenders including Frances Fitzgerald, Sean Kelly, and Heather Humphreys, ruled themselves out. But even Simon Harris's party appears in no rush to start a formal campaign, so far avoiding what should be a natural political urge to get out and about canvassing. Knowing that it is likely to become a bruising and highly personal fight, no one wants to get into the presidential election ring too early this time around It was an aspect that Black referenced, in declaring that she is all but certain she doesn't want the presidency before slightly rowing back to Anton Savage by clarifying that "there's a part of me that feels, if I'm the right person — I'm not sure I am — but if I am the right person, then that's the 2%." In stressing the reason why she may not end up running under a unified left banner, she said: "I've seen how other campaigns have been run, and they have been — I could only describe — blood baths. So it's not something that I would want, to be honest with you." Part of the delay from the left also lies with Sinn Féin. Before the likes of Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit can get behind a combined candidate, they must wait for Mary Lou McDonald's party to make a decision — row in with the others or go it alone. After a disastrous election last time around, which saw Liadh Ní Riada gain just 6.4% of the vote, Sinn Féin has sought direction from the grassroots up. "We got it wrong in 2018, so we're trying to take on more feedback from members this time. It will guide a lot of what our next moves are," a senior party source told Irish Examiner deputy political editor Paul Hosford this week. This process has included emails to all members and online meetings, with the consultation process due to come to a close this weekend. Looking to outsiders, a number of high-profile individuals, including Conor McGregor and Peter Casey, have suggested they will seek a nomination but have yet to lobby local councils in a bid to get the required backing of four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members. The slow start means we could have a very speedy election campaign when it eventually does get underway.

Opinion: Irish tillage sector has been left in limbo
Opinion: Irish tillage sector has been left in limbo

Agriland

time3 days ago

  • Agriland

Opinion: Irish tillage sector has been left in limbo

Irish tillage farmers have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of strategic vision coming from government regarding the future direction of their industry. And, truth be told, they have more than a valid point. Recent days have seen leading representatives from the Irish Grain Growers' Group (IGGG) expressing their views in terms of what is really going on within tillage at the present time. Their annoyance centres on a number of fundamental realities. Firstly, farmers committed to the growing of crops cannot generate sustainable incomes. And, in turn, this is leading to growers leaving the industry or, at the very least, actively considering their futures in it. But it was all supposed to be so very different. Prior to the last general election, the two main parties in the current government – Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil – each promised an additional €300 million of support for tillage during the lifetime of this Dáil. This works out at some €60 million per year. But, so far, there has been no indication of these monies being made available to growers in any sense. And, of course, prior to all of this, we had the publication of the National Climate Action Plan, within which is a commitment to grow Ireland's tillage sector to 400,000ha by 2030, a mere four years' time. Currently, the industry is just about treading water in terms of its geographic footprint. However, another bad harvest in 2025 could send the sector into a life support scenario. Meanwhile, everyone agrees that the tillage industry has an exceptionally low carbon footprint. And, on that basis alone, its future must be ring-fenced and further encouraged. Irish tillage There are lots of reasons why tillage farmers feel sore about the ways in which they feel politics has failed them. A case in point is the Food Vision Tillage Group. It was set up by the previous government and seen by many as the 'great white horse', empowered to map out a clear future for arable farming in Ireland. However, its report has come and gone with no formal response to its recommendations coming from either the current or previous administrations. And, of course, actions – or lack of them – always speak louder than words. Recent days have seen Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon chair an international agriculture and climate conference at which he highlighted the need for the development of more sustainable and climate-friendly food production practices into the future. It all strikes me as the perfect prelude for the minister to now issue his strategic vision for the future of tillage in Ireland.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store