New Lord Mayor of Cork vows to make city centre safer with 'decisive action'
The new Lord Mayor of Cork has vowed to work to make the city centre safer and to make historic City Hall more accessible to citizens.
Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Dennehy, who represents the city's south west local electoral area, made the pledge after his election at the annual general meeting of Cork City Council on Friday night, which was attended by his party leader and Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
'Cork's heart must be a place where everyone feels welcome and secure,' Togher-based Mr Dennehy said.
'By working closely with An Garda Síochána, businesses, and community groups, we will maintain confidence and vibrancy to our city centre.
'I welcome the recent appointment of a council director with specific responsibility for the city centre and also the collaboration with the Cork Business Association to provide city centre wardens.
'I will work closely with all of the stakeholders to achieve our goals here to make our city even safer.'
Mr Dennehy, a father of two, was first elected to council in 2004 but lost his seat in 2009. He won it back in 2014 and has retained it since.
He was nominated for the position, and faced a vote against Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy and Sinn Féin Cllr Michelle Gould.
He secured 23 votes, against five for Ms Gould and two for Mr McCarthy, and took the chain of office some 42 years after his father, former Fianna Fáil TD, John Dennehy, was elected lord mayor, leading the city through the Cork 800 celebrations.
'Your leadership and collaboration with businesses and communities laid the foundation for a year of pride and achievement that still resonates in Cork,' Mr Dennehy said.
Thank you for your continued service and dedication to our city and of course thank you for everything that you have done for me as my father in both my political and personal life.
They are the third father and son duo to hold the mayoral office in recent years — following on from John and Brian Bermingham, and Danny and Damian Wallace.
There were cross-party tributes to outgoing Lord Mayor Dan Boyle, and deputy Lord Mayor, Honore Kamegni, for their work over the last 12 months.
In his speech, Mr Dennehy said the city stands at a crossroads, facing challenges in housing and transport that demand 'bold vision and decisive action'.
'With a huge projected population growth in the coming years, we must ensure every citizen has access to quality social and affordable housing,' he said.
He said transport projects such as the Luas light rail and BusConnects must serve all residents equitably and protect our environment for generations to come, and he cited the potential of Cork docklands, but said growth must be inclusive, lifting all citizens, and all communities.
'For me, Cork has always been about its people and communities,' he said.
'Everything we do as a city council must be guided by their needs and aspirations.
'I will continue to work closely with community groups, sporting organizations, our elected representatives and the voluntary sector to strengthen the bonds that have already made this city so special.'
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