Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh elected chair of Castlecomer Municipal District

Veteran North Kilkenny councillor Mary Hilda Cavanagh has been elected as chairperson of the Castlecomer Municipal District.

The election was the first matter of business on today's (Monday's) first meeting of the new council term.

Proposing Cllr Cavanagh, Cllr John Brennan said she had "served the council with great distinction for a fantastic 50 years" and he had no doubt she will do a tremendous job in the role.

Cllr Michael McCarthy, who himself was elected Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council last Friday, seconded Cllr Cavanagh for the role of district chair.

He said Cllr Cavanagh is an experienced and able councillor who could handle the council chamber "with her eyes closed" because of her ability.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said he was delighted to support Cllr Cavanagh, adding that over the last five years the members of the municipal district had worked well together as a council in the interest of North Kilkenny.

Thanking her fellow councillors for their kind words, Cllr Cavanagh also congratulated Cllr McCarthy on his election as Cathaoirleach. It has never been more important to show that north west Kilkenny is a part of the county, following the movement of some of the area in the Tipperary general election constituency, she said.

Welcoming new councillor Maurice Shortall, Cllr Cavanagh also paid tribute to Denis Hynes who was not successful in his bid for reelection in the Castlecomer area. "I commend anybody that has the courage to put their name on a ballot paper," she said, asking that the council write to Mr Hynes to thank him for his five years of service.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick was elected as vice-chair of the district, proposed by Cllr Michael Delaney and seconded by Cllr McCarthy.