New Cathaoirleach pledges to work for upgrade of N61
The newly-elected Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council has pledged to work towards ensuring that the N61 is upgraded from a national secondary to a national primary route during his term of office.
Fianna Fail Cllr John Keogh, who was elected by 11 votes to five at the AGM of the Roscommon local authority this afternoon (Monday) also listed health, housing, climate and farming issues among his priorities and described himself as both “honoured and privileged” to take up the role of Cathaoirleach for tne coming year.
Cllr Keogh, who succeeds outgoing Cathaoirleach and Independent Cllr from Tarmonbarry, Tom Crosby, was proposed by fellow Fianna Fail Cllr, John Cummins, and seconded by his Fine Gael colleague on Athlone Municipal District, Cllr John Naughten.
The Independent group on the council proposed their own candidate for the position of Cathaoirleach with Cllr Tony Ward proposing Cllr Kathleen Shanagher and Cllr Anthony Waldron seconding the nomination.
When the matter was put to a vote, Cllr Keogh emerged as the winner by 11 votes to five, with two abstentions.
The position of Leas-Cathaoirleach was filled by Cllr John Cummins, who was proposed by Cllr Orla Leydon and seconded by Cllr Emer Kelly. He suceeds outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach, Cllr Laurence Fallon.
Similar to the election for Cathaoirleach, there were two nominations for the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach as well, with Cllr Kathleen Shanagher nominating Cllr Nigel Dineen and Cllr Donal Kilduff seconding.
When the votes were counted, Cllr John Cummins emerged as the new Leas-Cathaoirleach by a margin of 11 votes to five, including two abstentions.
Cllr John Keogh was first elected to Roscommon County Council in 2009 and retained his seat in 2014 and again in 2019. A native of Taughmaconnell, he is resident in Bealnamulla, and is also a member of the Athlone Municipal District of the council.
Among the priorities outlined by the incoming Cathaoirleach were health; housing; the environment and climate; community engagement; the provision of more recreational facilities across the county; support for the farming community and the upgrading of the N61 road from a national secondary to a national primary route.