The titles of mayor and deputy mayor are to be used for the Mullingar Municipal District.
The titles were chosen over cathaoirleach and leas-cathaoirleach, though councillors were not in full agreement on which titles were most suitable.
Cllr Mick Dollard suggested that ‘cathaoirleach’ was more appropriate as he felt “mayor is more suited to larger towns or cities”, and he was supported by Cllr Johnnie Penrose.
However Cllr Paul Daly felt the title of mayor was “more distinguished”, while Cllr Andrew Duncan agreed that it offered a better opportunity to promote the town of Mullingar and the county.
Cllr Paddy Hill, elected last week as cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, felt there should not be a vote but that councillors should be able to come to a unanimous agreement on the title to be used.
Cllrs Dollard and Penrose agreed to the use of ‘mayor’, but requested the title be reviewed next year.
Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Ken Glynn was elected unopposed as mayor of the Mullingar Municipal District, with Cllr John Shaw, also FF, as deputy mayor. The chain of office previously used by Mullingar Town Council is to be used by the new mayor.
