Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District have proposed their new Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach for the 2025/26 working year. 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McDonald has finished his term as Cathaoirleach of the Council district, and will be replaced by the Council's youngest Councillor.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin was proposed by fellow Fine Gael Cllr John King, and was seconded by Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney.

Cllr Bergin will now chair the Municipal District meetings, with Cllr Ollie Clooney elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Before stepping down as Cathaoirleach, Cllr McDonald gave words of thanks to his colleagues.

"Today I finish up as Chairman of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick District," Cllr McDonald said.

Pictured: Incoming Cathaoirleach Cllr Conor Bergin with outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus McDonald

"I would like to thank all of my fellow councillors for their cooperation over the last year.

"I would like to thank the former Director of Services Donal Brennan and the present Director of Services Angela McEvoy, and all staff that have worked to ensure that works are carried out throughout the area within the last 12 months," he said.

"I would like to thank the media, who have given us great coverage, we appreciate that," Cllr McDonald finished.

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney commended Cllr McDonald for his work as Cathaoirleach.

"I would like to pay tribute to you, what a fine man you are," Cllr Clooney praised.

"There hasn't been a cross word out of you. You have done your job very well, and we are all very proud of you". 

Cllr John King praised Cllr McDonald for his 'years and years' of experience, and for his calm demeanour. 

"You have gotten a lot of work done in a very positive way, and you have a brilliant way of dealing with people," Cllr King said.

"I wish you all the best in the future, you are an experienced candidate and it doesn't go unnoticed," he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin, incoming Cathaoirleach, commended Cllr McDonald on his successful year.

"You are an experienced Chair, I know that you are the longest serving councillor on the Council, and if you don't mind me saying, you're the father of the Council," Cllr Bergin said.

Pictured: Cllr Seamus McDonald and Ollie Clooney with their monogrammed water bottles to replace single use plastic bottles in Laois County Council.

"You're 40 years here Friday next, and you always make sure that everyone gets their fair say," he said.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken commended his fellow Fianna Fáil Cllr.

"I just want to thank you for chairing the meetings for the past 12 months, very effectively and calmly," Cllr Bracken praised.

"I would like to acknowledge that it's 12 months on since we were re-elected, and that it's forty years since you were first elected to the Council in June of 1985. Well done on your hard work throughout the years, it's a great achievement," he said.

Independent Cllr James Kelly expressed his congratulations to Cllr McDonald.

"Well done Seamus on your work over the past year, you have been very fair to everybody," he said.

"Over the forty years, you have gone through a lot of directors of services, you went through two this year alone. Hopefully you won't be going through any more. You are a good friend outside of this chamber as well, congratulations on your sucessful year."

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services with the Council, thanked Cllr McDonald for the work he undertook in a 'cool, calm and collected' manner.

Fine Gael Cllr John King proceeded to propose Cllr Conor Bergin as chairperson for the incoming year.

"Cllr Bergin has gained a lot of experience over the past five years, he was very successful in the local elections and received the highest amount of votes," Cllr King said.

Cllr Bergin was seconded by Cllr Clooney. Cllr Bergin thanked his fellow Councillors for their vote of confidence. 

"This is my first time chairing the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District, and it's a huge privilege," Cllr Bergin said.

"The District does a lot of great work, we have a very good top table and Councillors. I'd like to thank the staff across the district."

Cllr Bracken proposed Cllr Clooney as Leas-Cathaoirleach, which was seconded by Cllr King.

Cllr Clooney thanked his fellow Cllrs for the opportunity, and vowed to be 'as big a help as he can' to Cllr Bergin.

This matter occurred at the June sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.

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