New Cathaoirligh elected to Donegal County Council municipal districts

Two new Cathaoirligh have been appointed to Donegal County Council municipal districts this week.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Ciaran Brogan was appointed Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford MD, while Fine Gael’s Martin Harley was made Cathaoirleach of Lifford-Stranorlar MD.

Letterkenny-based Cllr Brogan, who has served as the leas-cathaoirleach for the past year, returns to the position he previously held in 2015-16. He was first elected to Letterkenny Urban District Council in 1999 and the County Council in 2004.

He was proposed by fellow Fianna Fáil councillor, Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly, who cited Cllr Brogan’s ‘wealth of experience’ of 26 years in local politics. He was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Donal Coyle, with Ramelton-based Councillor Pauric McGarvey the newly elected leas-cathaoirleach.

Accepting his new role, where he replaces Sinn Féin’s Gerry McMonagle, Cllr Brogan said: “I’m delighted to have this honour and I’m looking forward to working with every one of you.”

Ballybofey-based Cllr Harley returns to the position he held two years ago. He was Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council before the incumbent, Cllr Niamh Kennedy. He was proposed by Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Patrick McGowan at the Lifford-Stranorlar AGM and was seconded by Independent Cllr Martin Scanlon. Fine Gael’s Patrick McGowan will act as leas cathaoirleach.

Cllr Scanlon thanked outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Gary Doherty for his contribution, saying: “Thanks to Gary for being a very fair chair this last year and we worked very well together.”

Independent councillor Michael McClafferty was elected Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District in May. He was elected to the role for the second time at the annual general meeting of the municipal district, taking over from Sinn Féin’s Cllr John Sheamuis Ó Fearraigh.

Cllr McClafferty was nominated by Fianna Fáil’s Anthony Molloy and seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Brian Carr. Molloy was elected as leas cathaoirleach of the municipal district.

The Donegal MD will elect its new Cathaoirleach at their AGM on Tuesday, June 16. Outgoing Cathaoirleach, Sinn Féin’s Noel Jordan and Leas-Cathaoirleach, Fianna Fáil Cllr Micheál Naughton, will hand over their roles.

Sinn Féin Cllr Jack Murray will attend his last duty as Cathaoirleach of Inishowen MD on Thursday, June 19 at 4pm in Buncrana. A commemorative plaque of Hugh 'Dick' Doherty - who played for Celtic FC - is to be unveiled outside his former home of St Oran's Road.

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Sinn Féin Cllr Terry Crossan currently holds the position of leas-cathaoirleach in Inishowen MD. His successor, along with the new Cathaoirleach, will be decided at the Inishowen AGM on July 1.