“Independents day” as non-party councillors take lead in Offaly County Council
by Rebekah O'Reilly
Today has been dubbed "Independents Day" as a non-party duo has been selected to lead Offaly County Council over the coming twelve months, with Kilcormac's Independent Cllr John Leahy being elected as Cathaoirleach and Tullamore's Independent Cllr Sean O'Brien taking up the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Leahy was elected after a vote, receiving 16 votes in favour and three against. He had been nominated by Fianna Fáil Cllr Peter Ormond from Shinrone, and seconded by Cllr Sean O'Brien.
Cllr O'Brien was chosen as Leas-Cathaoirleach, having been backed by 10 votes to 9.
He was nominated by Fianna Fáil Cllr Declan Harvey from Tullamore, and Fianna Fáil Cllr Frank Moran from Clara.
In the decisives votes, the independent duo received the backing of the Fianna Fáil grouping on the council. Leahy and O'Brien had entered into a deal with the group following the last local election.
Sinn Féin Cllr Claire Murray Smale from Edenderry had also been put forward for the role of Cathaoirleach. She nominated by party colleague Cllr Sean Maher, and seconded by Cllr Aoife Masterson, but did not achieve the required votes for the position.
Also nominated for the position of Leas- Cathaoirleach were Sinn Féin Cllr Sean Maher, and Fine Gael Cllr Neil Feighery, who both failed to secure the necessary votes.
Feighery lost out on a 13-6 margin, while Maher secured four in favour and 15 against.
Cllr John Leahy first took his seat on Offaly County Council in 2009. He has run in seven elections since then, and was elected in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024.
In 2015, Leahy joined the party Renua at its foundation, and stood unsuccessfully in the 2016 general election. He left the party subsequently and has served as an independent councillor since.
He was referred to as “a great community activist” and “a very committed councillor” by fellow councillors, who expressed their support and trust in him to “do the right thing for the people of Offaly.”
In his acceptance speech, Cllr Leahy thanked his supporters and campaigners, his mother Brídy and father Paul, who he noted as “a huge inspiration", as well as his son Lee and his daughter Clodagh, and to his wife of 25 years, Lavinia.
“Thank you for keeping the family home when I couldn't be there, it wouldn't be possible without you.”
Leahy set out his objectives for the next year, housing with a focus on DPG's (Housing Adaptation Grants), roads and the Peat Foundation Pilot Programme, and Just Transition funding and a renewable energy dividends fund, at the top of his list of priorities.