The row within Fine Gael over who should become the next mayor was neutered following a weekend intervention by TD Brian Walsh, which has allowed all sides to come away with something.
Following Dep Walsh’s intervention, all three FG councillors on the Galway City Council will get to hold the office of Mayor or Deputy Mayor during the remainder of the council term.
Cllr Hildegarde Naughten will become Mayor at the special council meeting in June; Frank Fahy will be Deputy Mayor for 2012/2013; and Pádraig Conneely will be the mayor for the 2013/2014 term, just in time for the run-in to the 2014 Local Elections.
Dep Walsh was asked by the party hierarchy to intervene and speak with the three councillors in order to solve the stand-off which had caused much controversy within the party and concern among party members.
Cllr Terry O’Flaherty will be the Mayor in 2012-13 , so will hold the chain when the Volvo Ocean Race finishes in Galway in late summer 2012.
