History made as new leader of Limerick's metropolitan district elected

FIANNA FAIL councillor Azad Talukder has been elected as the new leader of Limerick's metropolitan district.

The City West area member, who is a businessman and taxi driver by trade, secured the chain of office after winning 13 of the 20 votes available at the annual general meeting of the metropolitan district this Monday. Sinn Fein's Tom Collopy was absent.

Cllr Talukder's election is historic in the sense that it's the first time a member of Limerick's immigrant community has taken on the leadership role.

It follows three straight years members of the metropolitan district had returned a woman to the top role with Cllrs Sarah Kiely, Catherine Slattery and last year's leader Olivia O'Sullivan enjoying the position.

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The Steamboat Quay man's election comes as part of a Fianna Fail-Fine Gael power sharing pact, which will likely see Cappamore/Kilmallock councillor Gerald Mitchell become Mayor of Limerick City and County next week.

As well as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, Cllr Talukder won the backing of Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan.

I couldn’t have been more proud to have voted for my Limerick City West Colleague @AzadTalukder_FF for Cathaoirleach of the @LimerickCouncil Metropolitan district today. Azad has been a pleasure to work with over the last 4 years. A historic day for Limerick Council pic.twitter.com/woB8dXwaHC

— Cllr Elisa O'Donovan (@elisaodonovan) June 19, 2023

At this Monday's meeting, there was also a nomination for the Green Party's Sasa Novak who was backed by party colleague Sean Hartigan.

She received seven votes.

Meanwhile, fellow Fianna Fail councillor Joe Pond has been elected as deputy chairman, beating off competition from Labour councillor Elena Secas.

Speaking upon taking the chain of office, Cllr Talukder said: "The people of Limerick city have given me the privilege of fighting for them as their elected representative. I want all the people to know that I am working for their families just as hard as I work for my own family, with the thinking that when your family succeeds, it helps our city succeed. As our city succeeds, our country progresses."

A Bangladeshi national, Cllr Talukder was first elected to City West at the 2019 election making history as the first Muslim to serve on Limerick's local authority.

He was joined in the chamber by friends and family including wife Shahana akter, plus daughters Tashfia, 7 and Amirah, 16.

Mayor Francis Foley also was in attendance at Dooradoyle to lend his support.

Councillor Talukder is expected to be the last cathaoirleach of this local authority term, with Limerick going to the polls to elect a new council next summer.