Fintan Phelan is elected mayor of Carlow

COUNCILLOR Fintan Phelan was elected Mayor of Carlow at the municipal district’s AGM last Friday.

The Fianna Fáil councillor, who takes on the role of mayor for a third time, spoke of his honour and privilege to be elected mayor of his hometown.

He thanked the people of Carlow, who “voted so comprehensively for me on 7 June”, adding this was “something I never take for granted”.

Cllr Phelan was proposed by party colleague cllr Ken Murnane, who described cllr Phelan as a “hard-working young councillor and no stranger to the post”.

Cllr Phelan was seconded by cllr Fergal Browne. Director of services Michael Brennan asked if an alternative name was being put forward.

People Before Profit’s Adrienne Wallace stated there was not an alternative but expressed her utter distain of the “pomp and ritual” of the election of mayor. She asked for a roll-call vote; however, with just one name put forward, council officials clarified that standing orders deemed this unnecessary. 

“I wish you the success, Fintan, but I’m not going to vote for you,” remarked cllr Wallace. However, cllr Phelan had the numbers and was subsequently deemed elected.

Cllr Fergal Browne was proposed for the role of deputy mayor, seconded by cllr Paul Doogue and also deemed elected.

Cllr Phelan's first act as mayor was to pay tribute to council official, the late Ger Doody, who died suddenly last week and called for a moment’s silence. He described Ger as a person who had a “great command of the detail” working within the council in the demanding role of procurement. He stated that Mr Doody had addressed a business breakfast only a few days before his death, advising business owners, while adding that he also knew Ger through his involvement in the weekly Park Run.

“My deepest sympathies to his family and his colleagues,” said mayor Phelan.

Mayor Phelan noted that six of the seven councillors were returned to the Carlow and welcomed new councillor Paul Doogue. He noted that Tom O’Neill had missed out but spoke of his time as “an excellent mayor” and his “huge contribution to Carlow”.

Referring to cllr Browne's comments about those no longer with us, when elected cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, cllr Phelan noted that each passing election someone special is missing and, in his case, it was his grandfather Fintan Phelan. “I know he’d be looking down on us proudly today,” he said. Cllr Phelan remarked that since first elected he remains “passionate about our town” and spoke of the excellent work currently being undertaken as part of the town’s entry into Entente Florale.

“This is not a one-off, but something to be built on,” he vowed. Cllr Phelan said the lack of disabilities services was “something that urgently needs to be addressed” with early intervention, services and support for children with disabilities. “My door is always open to all the people of Carlow and I look forward to working on your behalf,” he said. Mayor Phelan was joined in the chamber at Carlow Town Hall by his wife Sinead, son John, parents John and Elaine, grandmother Nuala, his siblings, extended family and supporters. Tributes from members were paid to cllr Phelan on his election as mayor, to former councillor O’Neill and also sympathies to the family of Ger Doody.