President Connolly to get invitation to visit Offaly

Cllr Sean O'Brien reminded his council colleagues at their November meeting this week that he had “declared his allegiance early” for Catherine Connolly and was “a very early supporter” of hers in her successful campaign to become the 10th President of Ireland.

The Tullamore-based Independent councillor raised the issue of the recent presidential campaign at the end of the monthly meeting and said it was “very important” to acknowledge the country's new president.

He also proposed that a letter of congratulations be sent to President Connolly to formally congratulate her on her new role, and also to invite her to visit Offaly in the near future.

“We had the former president, Michael D Higgins, here in Offaly several times, he was a great friend of the county, and I think it would be very important to let President Connolly know that she is very welome to visit us too,” said Cllr O'Brien.

Agreeing with the proposal, Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson said President Connolly clearly demonstrated throughout her campaign that she is “a president for all” and will be “a unifying force” for the country.

Fine Gael's Cllr Liam Quinn said he was “heartened” to see the two candidates who had contested the presidency present in the count centre.

“It sent out a good message,” he added, “and I think Heather Humphreys ran a very good campaign, but I don't know how any political party will get a candidate to run the next time, I wouldn't do it for diamonds, it's a very gruelling campaign.”

Members agreed to send a letter of congratulations to the new President and to include an invitation to visit Offaly when her schedule permits.