Kilkenny district elects new chairman

 A new chairperson has been elected in the Callan Thomastown Municipal District of Kilkenny County Council this afternoon (Wednesday, June 4).

Fine Gael's Cllr Joe Lyons will chair the local body for the coming 12 months.

He was unanimously elected today to take over from Cllr Deirdre Cullen (Fianna Fáil) who was chair for the last year.

Also elected today was a vice-chair of the municipal district - Cllr Michael Doyle (Fine Gael).

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Proposing Cllr Lyons for the role, Cllr Doyle said he was a great councillor for Callan and the surrounding areas, with lots of experience. He is sure Cllr Lyons will do a good job, Cllr Doyle added.

The nomination was seconded by Cllr Brian Cleere (Fianna Fáil) and supported by all councillors. Cllr Cullen wished him the best in his endeavours for the year.

Cllr Lyons thanked them for their kind words.

Tributes were also paid to outgoing chair, Cllr Cullen. Cllr Lyons thanked her for her work as chairperson, commending her on her good, efficient leadership. "I have a hard act to follow," he said. 

Cllr Lyons said Cllr Cullen was always to the forefront on local issues, 'fighting on our behalf.'

Cllr Doyle said she had been a fair chairperson.

Cllr Lyons proposed Cllr Doyle as vice chair for the coming year and this was seconded by Cllr Stephanie Doheny (SF).