New Cathaoirleach elected for Northern Division in Cork

Cllr Pat Hayes was elected as the new Cathaoirleach of the Northern Division on Monday, July 20. The Fianna Fáil councillor succeeds the outgoing chairperson Cllr William O’Leary. Labour Party councillor Ronan Sheehan was elected as the new Leas Cathaoirleach of the Northern Committee. The outgoing chair Cllr William O’Leary extended his best wishes to the incoming chair and thanked all his colleagues for their support over the last year. Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn paid tribute to Cllr O’Leary for the leadership he displayed during his tenure. “There was no division or vote in the whole 12 months. You were very co-operative. You treated everyone with fairness and dignity. You got the business done. North Cork is as big as Limerick city and county put together.” Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Shea also acknowledged the role played by Cllr O’Leary. “Thanks for the work you have done in the last 12 months. We are very grateful for the way you have chaired the meetings.” In the subsequent vote to take over as the new chair of the Northern Division, Cllr Hayes was proposed by his colleague, Cllr Frank O’Flynn. “He is from the Mallow area and is well known. He is very much embedded in the community and in rural Ireland.” The nomination was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy who waxed lyrical about Cllr Hayes’ involvement in the local community. “He is heavily involved in the rotary, GAA and Mallow Chamber. He has served the Mallow area with distinction over the last seven years. He has a special understanding of the business community and their concerns in Mallow and throughout North Cork. “It is not an easy committee to chair. We have 15 members and we have the diverse demands of all of North Cork on our minds when we come in here,” he added. Cllr Hayes was first elected to Cork County Council in May 2019 and the Mallow businessman is looking forward to the next 12 months. “I chaired this back in 2019. I did enjoy being chair of the Northern Division. There is a lot of work. It is a huge division. It has a big budget and there will be a busy year ahead. I am looking forward to the task in hand.” Assistant Chief Executive Niall Healy wished the new chair well. “It is a very busy role. I also want to acknowledge Cllr William O’Leary. We worked well together. You have left a great legacy.” Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn who proposed Cllr Sheehan for the role as Leas Cathaoirleach praised Ronan for his strong involvement in the community and sporting life in Mallow. “Ronan played at all levels and wore the red and white of Cork with huge distinction. He was always a thorough gentleman.” The nomination was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Ian Doyle who recognised Ronan’s exemplary knowledge of the Mallow and district area both economically and socially. Cllr Ronan Sheehan recalled lining out alongside Cllr Hayes on various Mallow teams and said they will work well together. “Cllr Hayes and I were on many teams together. Even though you were number one and I was scoring all the goals. I am looking forward to the year and working alongside you.”