Athboy neighbours set to take the reins at county council

Athboy councillor David Gilroy (above, right) is set to be elected cathaoirleach of Meath County Council at tomorrow's annual meeting of the local authority.

The independent councillor will succeed Fianna Fail's Wayne Harding (above, left), who was elected last year with the support of his Fianna Fail colleagues, Cllr Annie Hoey of Labour, Cllr Emer Toibin of Aontu and seven Independent councillors.

The deal will see Aisling Dempsey of Fianna Fail, who also lives in Athboy, being elected leas cathaoirleach, all going to plan.

Annie Hoey has since been elected to the senate, and Elaine McGinty from Drogheda is set to be co-opted as the Labour party nominee in her place tomorrow morning.

Also elected to the Seanad is Independent councillor Sharon Keoghan, who is reported to be keeping it in the family by nominating her sister, Geraldine, to fill her vacant seat.

Tomorrow's meeting will take place in the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, rather than the council chamber, to allow for social distancing during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, and only a limited number of people will be allowed attend.

The regular monthly meeting will then discuss how the council will manage its finances over the coming year in the face of the coronavirus situation, with chief executive Jackie Maguire telling councillors that difficult decisions will be required.

READ: https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2020/06/02/council-chief-outlines-fears-for-services-as-income-plummets/