Ballina's outgoing Cathaoirleach is praised as his term ends

Members of Ballina Municipal District have paid tribute to outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly, who presided over the final meeting of his one-year term last Wednesday.

Concluding the June monthly meeting, Cllr Munnelly thanked everyone for their support over the past 12 months, especially Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Annie May Reape, who deputised on a number of occasions.

Mayo Co Council's Senior Executive Officer, Olivia Gallagher, on behalf of Director of Services Catherine McConnell, extended thanks to the outgoing Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach for their time working with the district and in collaboration with staff during the past year.

Cllr John O’Hara also thanked Cllr Munnelly “for being even-handed in the chair and for all you achieved for the different organisations and for the betterment of the town in your time in it".

Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Reape wished to be associated with the tributes, telling Cllr Munnelly: “You were very fair and a very good representative, maybe too good even. Perhaps you should have the whip out more often!”

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy also expressed her appreciation, saying that Cllr Munnelly was always fair, balanced and supportive in his role as Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Michael Loftus added: “It is a great honour to be a Cathaoirleach, and you took that chair and made it a very good one and I am delighted you enjoyed it. That is most important. You represented Ballina Municipal District very well and were a great credit to us all.”

Cllr Munnelly has been succeeded by Cllr Reape.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.