FINE Gael councillor Tom Neville was elected Cathaoirleach for the new municipal district of Adare-Rathkeale this week.
The son of Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman and long-serving Limerick TD, Dan Neville, he was nominated to the position of first citizen of his district at its council’s historic first meeting in Aras Sean Finn, Rathkeale this Tuesday.
The 38 year-old Cathaoirleach was co-opted to Limerick County Council in 2003, replacing his father, and re-elected in 2004, serving his term as councillor until 2009 when he emigrated to Australia to seek work after the economic crash.
He secured the position of Cathaoirleach in Adare-Rathkeale after being proposed and seconded by Fianna Fail councillors Kevin Sheahan and Richard O’Donoghue.
Cllr Neville, who presents a ‘house music show’ on West Limerick 102fm, said he was deeply honoured to be elected as Cathaoirleach and vowed to serve the area of Adare-Rathkeale to the best of his ability and champion the cause of having services retained and utilised in the district.
“I recognise that we are the democratically elected voice of the people. The area has increased in size and its imperative that we deliver,” said Cllr Neville.
“I look forward to working with all the staff at the Council again, who’ve always been second to none,” he added.
Limerick’s first citizen, Cllr Kevin Sheahan (FF), congratulated Cllr Neville on his new posting. He told the young Rathkeale councillor that there was a tradition of “co-operation” between local councillors and promised that they were “committed” to getting the best results.
Limerick City and County Council’s district director for Adare-Rathkeale, Tom Gilligan also congratulated Cllr Neville, and offered him the local authority’s full support.
The election of a Leas-Cathaoirleach was deferred to the next meeting.
