Bourke likely to be made new council chairman

Cllr Noel Bourke is likely to be elected the new chairman of Offaly County Council at its annual general meeting later today (Friday). The Edenderry-based councillor is set to be the Fianna Fáil nominee for chair as the party prepares to regain control with the help of two independents. 'I would hope that that would be the case,' Cllr Bourke confirmed yesterday (Thursday). 'We have nine seats, we gained one seat and need two more to be in power... 'The party is holding discussions with councillors and has approached most independents and it"s expected that we should get at least two to support us.' Offaly proved to be the party"s stronghold in the local election, gaining one extra seat to bring them to nine on the county council, while a surge of support led to six independents being elected. Fine Gael would need the backing of five independent councillors to gain control as they have only six council seats. Various political sources confirmed to the Offaly Independent this week that Fianna Fáil has received the support of two independent councillors before today"s meeting, achieving a majority of 11 seats. Fianna Fáil had increased its seat number to nine, from the eight held previously and was always set to be in the lead position to form a new power block. Independent councillors linked to Fianna Fáil include former-Progressive Democrat Eddie Fitzpatrick from Portarlington, Cllr Dervill Dolan from the Tullamore Electoral Area, and Birr councillors John Carroll and Tony McLoughlin, who have both supported Fianna Fáil in the past. Cllr Tony McLoughlin confirmed that he will be giving his support to Fianna Fáil. He said that locally, people did not blame Fianna Fáil for the current recession that they 'got behind Brian Cowen' in the local elections. He said he"d no desire to become chair or vice-chair of the council, although he has been elected Chair of Birr Town Council for this year. Cllr Carroll said that his previous support for the party during the last term of the council, meant nothing for the new term and added that being Leas-Cathaoirleach last year meant nothing now. Continued on Page 2