McCormack elected new Municipal District Mayor

Fianna Fail Councillor Vinny McCormack was elected as the new Mayor of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District at its AGM in the town's civic centre this afternoon (Monday).

The Ballymore native was elected to serve the role for the second occasion having previously been chosen as the Municipal District's 'first citizen' in 2022.

Proposed by his political party colleages Cllr Liam McDaniel and Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, Cllr McCormack received the Mayoral chain from outgoing 'first citizen' Cllr Frankie Keena.

With his wife Deirdre and two children, Cliodhna and Oisin, present in the Chamber to witness the passing of the Mayoral chain, Cllr McCormack said that it was "paramount" to ensure the safety of all school going children in the District.

"During the lifetime of this Council we must have a strong focus on reducing vehicle speed in our towns and villages, particularly in the vicinity of our schools. We must see decisive action," the new Mayor said.

Looking towards his term of office, the Mayor said that the finalisation of the Athlone development plan would allow the Council to address the "unprecedented population growth" in the town and address the amenities required to cope with such a scenario.

As he looked forward to highlighting the work of voluntary groups within the District over the course of the next year, Cllr McCormack also noted a number of initiatives in the District which he wished to see progress, most prevalently the issue of housing provision, dereliction and the introduction of anti-dumping measures.

Each of the Councillors present expressed their congratulations and best wishes to Cllr McCormack on his election as Mayor for the coming year.

Fellow Fianna Fáil Councillor Aengus O'Rourke was elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District. His election was proposed by Cllr Keena and seconded by Cllr Paul Hogan.