'Neglected' Lahardane-Ballycastle road among priorities for new Ballina Cathaoirleach
Newly-elected Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, Cllr. Michael Loftus, Crossmolna, pictured at the District’s annual general meeting today (Friday). David Farrell Photography
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus has been elected as the Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District at this morning’s AGM.
The Crossmolina-based councillor served as Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach for the last 12 months and this is his third time serving as chair in the Ballina MD.
He was proposed by his party colleague Annie May Reape and seconded by Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly.
Cllr Loftus said among his main priorities for the next 12 months was the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme and upgrading the R315 between Lahardane and Ballycastle.
“I would be hoping to push the Flood Relief scheme in Crossmolina, this is a major priority. I hope we have some good news in relation to this later this year,” he said.
“The R315 is a regional road that we have perhaps neglected as councillors and council officials. It needs renovations and repairs.”
He congratulated Cllr John O’Hara succeeding him as county Cathaoirleach.
“It is amazing to think that the last three Cathaoirleach’s, John, myself and Seamus Weir all came from the Ballina area and we might have more before this term is out. It shows the calibre of public representative we have here and how we always punch above our weight,” he said.
Interestingly, Cllr Loftus was the only councillor present in the Ballina Chamber during his election on Friday morning. The remaining councillors all attended remotely via Microsoft Teams as the facilities to accommodate this style of meeting were recently installed in the Chamber.
Cllr Munnelly was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach having been proposed by party colleague Cllr O’Hara and seconded by Cllr Reape.
