Slane man Wayne Harding is new Meath County Council Cathaoirleach

Report Paul Murphy
Slane native and Fianna Fail Cllr Wayne Harding was elected Cathaoirleach at Meath County Council’s annual general meeting on Monday, succeeding Fine Gael’s Cllr Sharon Tolan in the role. He was elected by 28 votes to eight over Sinn Fein nominee Cllr Eddie Fennessy. Fianna Fail’s Cllr Caroline O’Reilly was elected Leas Cathaoirleach by the same margin over Sinn Fein nominee Cllr Helen Meyer.

Cllr O’Reilly succeeds Cllr Suzanne Jamal in that role. Cllr Harding, a member of the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District, is now serving his second term as Cathaoirleach. He came into the role this year as a result of the election to the Dail of his Fianna Fail colleague Aisling Dempsey and is known for his role in campaigning over many years for a bypass of Slane village and which is now in the planning stage.

Former Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Suzanne Jamal, new Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Caroline O’Reilly. Above; Former Cathaoirleach Cllr Sharon Tolan, new Cathaoirleach Cllr Wayne Harding, and Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe.

Cllr Harding said he was delighted to be elected Cathaoirleach for the second time. He also commended Cllr Tolan for her work as Cathaoirleach during the preceding year. Before handing over the chains of office to Cllr Harding she said that it had been an honour to serve the people of Meath. The role had allowed her to meet so many inspiring people and attend so many significant events both nationally and internationally. She congratulated Cllr Harding “on this richly deserved election.”

Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe told councillors at the agm at Buvinda House that the Cathaoirleach of the council was a hugely important role which included presiding over meetings,
statutory budget meetings, representing the county at many events, and all other duties required of them. He acknowledged the “outstanding work” of Cllr Tolan over the previous year and
congratulated Cllr Harding on his election. He also thanked Cllr Jamal for her work as Leas Cathaoirleach and congratulated the new Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr O’Reilly on her election.