Cllr Hughie Egan elected new Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District

CLLR Hughie Egan (Fine Gael) was elected the new Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District during the MD's AGM in Birr Civic Offices last week.
Cllr Egan has been a County Councillor for a year, having been elected during last year's local elections. He is a Dairy Farm from Doon and is married with three adult children. Hughie has a long track record of many years' involvement in community activities including Doon GAA, Offaly Sports Partnership, Rashina/Kilnagarna Group Water Scheme, and is currently a member of the West Offaly Dairy Discussion Group. Since 2019 he's been on the Audit and Risk committee with the LOETB.
Hughie says he is “a straight talker” and that he gives “100%” to everything that he commits to. As a Councillor he says he is determined to champion a number of issues, including: telling people farmers' sides of things; supporting job creation and SMEs; working with community groups to avail of the central government grant funds that are available; fostering positive mental health in young people; and improving the local road infrastructure.
He was proposed for the Chair by Cllr Eleanor Clendennen (Fine Gael) and seconded by Cllr John Leahy (Independent). The new Chair thanked his proposer and seconder. He said he's relatively new “to the political game” but he's rapidly learning! He said Cllr Leahy is known for being an excellent sports coach “but he's also been a very good political coach for me in this chamber over the last 12 months! He's shown me the ropes and the various ways of getting things done. Because that's why I am here. I want to get things done. I think of myself first and foremost as a community activist and I'm determined to try and improve our communities.”
Hughie pointed out that after the last local election there were only two former Councillors left on the MD, Cllrs Ormond and Leahy. “Thankfully, they didn't try to pull the wool over the eyes of us newbies,” he joked, “but have been very supportive and full of good advice.”
He said being Cathaoirleach of Birr MD is “a huge honour for me and a big honour for a small place like Doon.”
Referring again to his continuing learning curve as a politician he joked that he will “probably have to get evening classes from Eamon Dooley!” He promised to give the role of Chair “my best shot.”
Cllr John Leahy praised the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Peter Ormond (Fianna Fáil), for being a very competent “captain of the ship”, who had expertly steered everyone over the last 12 months. “He conducted the meetings in a simple, precise and efficient manner. As the longest serving Councillor on the MD he has much invaluable experience.”
Cllr Leahy added that Cllr Egan has proven himself to be a very effective politician since being elected who has a great deal of common sense and a down to earth approach.
Cllr Leahy was elected Leas Cathaoirleach, proposed by Cllr Ormond and seconded by Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy (Fianna Fáil).
Before handing over the Chair to Cllr Egan, Cllr Ormond gave a short speech. “As my 12 months come to an end as Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District, I want to thank all the members for their co-operation and assistance over the last 12 months. It was the start of a new council and a learning curve for new members. One of my priorities was that we would be a united council and work together for all the people and I think we have achieved that. I also want to thank the staff of the Birr MD for their assistance and the smooth running of the monthly meetings. When I reflect back on the last 12 months, we have achieved a lot together with a wide variety of projects completed right throughout the Municipal District. I wish the incoming Cathaoirleach every success in the coming year.”