New Offaly council chief to begin role in early February

Offaly County Council's new chief executive, Eoghan Ryan, is set to take up his position as the top local authority official in the county in early February.

The January monthly meeting of the council last Monday was told that, ahead of his start date on Monday, February 9, Mr Ryan would meet with elected members in their political groupings to discuss their vision for Offaly.

The elected members ratified the appointment of Mr Ryan at a special 'in committee' (behind closed doors) meeting on Monday, January 5, at which only one name was put forward to succeed outgoing chief executive, Anna Marie Delaney, who is due to retire at the end of January after a ten-year tenure.

Eoghan Ryan, who has been working as a Director of Services with Kildare County Council, and is also understood to have strong links to Offaly, has a long and distinguished career in many areas of local government and is a professional planner and urban designer.

During his time with the local authority in Kildare over the past six years, Mr Ryan has been a member of the council’s senior management team as well as serving as a District Manager with responsibility for the Naas Municipal District.

Cllr John Leahy previously confirmed to the Offaly Independent that, in his position as Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, he contacted Eoghan Ryan by email after the special council meeting on January 5 to formally offer him the position of Chief Executive, which he accepted.