Castlebar Town Council was returned to its quota of nine councillors at last week’s monthly meeting of the local authority. Labour’s Harry Barrett and Sinn Féin’s Therese Ruane were co-opted on to the council in place of Johnny Mee and Noel Campbell respectively.
Cllr Barrett was proposed to fill the seat vacated by long serving former Cllr Johnny Mee by Fine Gael Cllr Eugene McCormack. In proposing Cllr Barrett to the seat Cllr McCormack said: “Harry was very unlucky in the last election losing out by only four votes. It’s a honour to propose him to take this seat, but he has very big shoes to fill taking up the place of Johnny Mee.” Cllr Aidan Crowley seconded the motion and in welcoming Cllr Barrett to the chamber he also reminded him that he was following up in the place of a great public servant, saying: “He is being co-opted on here to fill the shoes of a man who has given his all to this town for a number of years.”
Cllr Ruane was proposed by Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, who told the meeting: “I thought it was very unfair that Cllr Campbell had to resign his seat, but I’m happy to nominate Therese Ruane to fill this seat. She has been active in politics and community issues for a long time, most notably as the founder of the Mayo Intercultural Association. I welcome her to the council and wish her all the best in the coming months.” Cllr Ruane’s nomination was seconded by Cllr Brendan Heneghan, who told the council: “I have known Therese’s family for years and I’m happy to second her nomination to this council, her work with Mayo Intercultural Association is second to none and it’s a great day to have a woman back on the council again.”
New councillors thankful for their welcomes
Cllr Ruane thanked the members for co-opting her on to the council saying: “I’d like to thank all of you for welcoming me on the council and I will do my best to do the work for the people of Castlebar and support the work of the council over the coming months.” Cllr Harry Barrett also thanked the members of the council for co opting him on to the council. “I know I have big shoes to fill in place of Johnny Mee and I hope I will follow after him in continuing to work for the best interest of the people of Castlebar,” he said.
