Historic appointment of first Sinn Féin Cathaoirleach in Offaly

Sinn Féin councillor Claire Murray has been elected Cathaoirleach of Edenderry Municipal District, becoming the first Sinn Féin representative to hold a chairmanship in Offaly since the foundation of the state.

In doing so, Cllr Murray has vowed to advocate strongly for local communities and to highlight the challenges facing north Offaly.

Speaking following her election, Cllr Murray said she was deeply honoured by the support of fellow councillors and conscious of the significance of the occasion.

"This is a proud day for me, for Sinn Féin in Offaly, and for everyone who supported me throughout my political journey. To become the first Sinn Féin Cathaoirleach in Offaly is a tremendous honour. The fact that I am a woman makes it even more special," she said.

"Politics and local government have changed enormously over the last century and I hope this sends a positive message to women and girls that there is a place for them in public life, leadership and decision-making," added Cllr Murray.

The newly elected Cathaoirleach said the election carries particular historical significance given the role played by Sinn Féin councillors elected in 1920.

"Those Sinn Féin councillors helped lay the foundations of Irish democracy and local government,” she said.

“They believed that communities should have a strong voice in shaping their own future. It was those revolutionary local authorities who proposed changing the name of the county from King's County to Offaly, a legacy we continue to live with today."

She continued to pay tribute to Sinn Féin members across the county, describing them as the backbone of the organisation.

"No elected representative achieves anything alone. This milestone belongs as much to the members of Sinn Féin who have worked tirelessly in their communities as it does to me. Their dedication, commitment and belief in our values made this possible," she said.

Looking ahead to her year as Cathaoirleach, Cllr Murray said her focus would be on ensuring that she advocates strongly for local communities and to highlight the challenges facing north Offaly.

"While this election is historic and I am incredibly proud of it, a role like this is not just symbolic. We are living through a housing crisis, a cost-of-living crisis and significant challenges for many families and communities. Being Cathaoirleach gives me a platform and I intend to use that platform to continue advocating strongly for the people I represent."

"There are many positive developments happening in Edenderry and across the district. The new library and the long-awaited swimming pool will be transformative projects for our community and will leave a lasting legacy for future generations. However, we must also be honest about the challenges that remain. North Offaly continues to lag behind other areas of the county when it comes to infrastructure, connectivity and employment opportunities. Despite being at the heart of Ireland's renewable energy transition, our communities have not always seen the level of investment that should accompany that contribution," said Cllr Murray.

"For too long,” she continued, “North Offaly has carried the burden of poor road infrastructure, inadequate public transport links and underinvestment. As Cathaoirleach, I will continue to make the case for the investment our communities deserve, whether that is in roads, housing, public services, employment opportunities or community facilities. My priority over the coming year is simple: to ensure that the voice of North Offaly is heard loud and clear and that our communities receive the support, investment and opportunities they need to thrive."

As part of her commitment to ensuring local voices are heard, Cllr Murray has also launched a 'Community & Business Priorities Survey', inviting residents, businesses, community groups, farmers and young people from across the municipal district to identify the issues they believe should be prioritised over the coming year. The survey can be completed online and has a closing date of Monday, July 6.

"My role as Cathaoirleach is to be a voice for all of our communities. I want to ensure that the work I do over the next year is informed by the people who live and work here every day. This survey isn't about politics; it's about listening."

Cllr Murray said that the survey covers a wide range of issues including housing, roads, public transport, economic development, community facilities, youth services, accessibility and town and village regeneration.

Concluding, Cllr Murray said she was committed to working constructively with all elected members for the benefit of the district.

"I would also like to congratulate Cllr Noel Cribbin on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach and I look forward to working closely with him in the year ahead. I also look forward to working with all councillors across the municipal district in the interests of our communities. While we may not always agree on every issue, I believe we can work constructively together to address the challenges facing our area and to secure the investment, infrastructure and opportunities that local people deserve."

"As Cathaoirleach, I will continue to be a strong voice for north Offaly and for the communities that have placed their trust in me. I intend to use this position to advocate for the investment our area needs and to ensure that the concerns of local people remain at the heart of decision-making," she said.