Moran elected as new Offaly cathaoirleach

Clara-based Fianna Fail councillor Frank Moran is the new cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council.

Cllr Moran was elected unopposed at this afternoon's annual general meeting.

Taking over from the outgoing cathaoirleach Cllr Declan Harvey, Cllr Moran described his election as “an honour and a privilege”.

Cllr Moran was proposed by Cllr Danny Owens and seconded by Cllr Tony McCormack.

Outlining Moran's political career to date, Cllr Owens said he had stood as an independent candidate in both the 2004 and 2009 local elections, but despite respectable showings had not been elected.

In 2012, he rejoined Fianna Fail and was elected in 2014 and again in 2019, topping the poll on the latter occasion in the Tullamore Municipal District election for Offaly County Council, which he described as 'a testament to the energetic role” he had put in as councillor in the preceding years.

“I believe he will be an excellent advocate for the county.”

Stating that the day was a very proud one for Cllr Moran, his friends, family and supporters, he said it was also “a great opportunity.”

Seconding the nomination, Cllr Tony McCormack said: “I think Cllr Moran would be a fantastic cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council.”

“He represents Clara very well,” Cllr McCormack added.

After his election, Cllr Moran thanked his proposer and seconder and said: “I hope I can fulfill this role as has been done by previous cathaoirligh over the years.”

He said he was looking forward to the year that lay ahead and had no doubt that working with all councillors, the council would meet the challenges it faced.

Cllr Moran said his focus would be on the entire county and not just his own municipal district.

He said he looked forward, in particular, to progressing the Town Centre First project in Clara. He said working in collaboration with all stakeholders, he hoped the Clara Town Team would devise “a plan that ensures Clara prospers even more in the future.”

Cllr Moran thanked all his family, supporters, fellow councillors, Deputy Barry Cowen and the voters who elected him. However, he reserved a special word of thanks for two people; his No 1 supporter, his mother, and someone who had been with him “in good times and bad”, his brother, Padraig.

Cllr Moran was accompanied to the chamber by his daughter Ella and son Matthew.