Jack Murray elected as cathaoirleach of Inishowen Municipal District

Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray has been elected cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District.

Cllr Murray, who topped the poll in the Buncrana local electoral area in the council elections, was elected at Monday’s annual general meeting of the council.

He takes over the role from outgoing cathaoirleach and party colleague Terry Crossan.

Cllr Murray thanked his predecessor and stressed that the councillors on the MD work together. He said the defective blocks crisis would have to be a priority for the  MD and he also highlighted the development of Grianán of Aileach, the tourism project at Dunree and the development of a new leisure centre in Buncrana as important projects for the year ahead.

Cllr Crossan was elected as leas-chathaoirleach.  Reflecting on his year as cathaoirleach he said he had had a very enjoyable year. One of the high points was the opening of the new Muff to Three Trees greenway which he said has become a great community asset and is being very widely used. He described the MD as very co-operative and said it is a group that “shows respect to each other”. 

The meeting was the first MD for newly-elected 100% Redress Party councillors Ali Farren and Joyce Beard as well as Fianna Fáil councillor Fionán Bradley.

Councillors paid tribute to former coucnillors Rena Donaghey and Nicholas Crossan who retired from the council and former councillor Johnny McGuinsess who was not elected.