BREAKING: New leader of Limerick's metropolitan district formally elected

FIANNA Fail councillor Kieran O'Hanlon has been elected as the leader of Limerick's metropolitan district.

The City North area member, who lives in Rhebogue, has been a councillor since 1991, and previously worked for Wyeth in Askeaton.

As a result of his years of service, he now has the honorific title of 'Father of the Council'.

He secured the chain of office at the annual general meeting of the metropolitan district this Friday morning.

His election came as part of a Fianna Fail-Fine Gael-Labour power sharing pact, which saw Patrickswell councillor Dan McSweeney named priomh chomhairleoir last week.

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Cllr O'Hanlon was nominated by party colleague Catherine Slattery and seconded by Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne.

Cllr O'Hanlon, who flew back from holiday in France for the occasion, secured 15 votes.

As well as Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour, he won the backing of newly elected Aontu councillor Sarah Beasley and Independent Frankie Daly.

There was competition from Sinn Fein's councillor Sharon Benson, who polled six votes.

Meanwhile, fellow Fianna Fail councillor Kilcoyne been elected as deputy leader of the district besting Social Democrats member Elisa O'Donovan

Speaking upon taking the chain of office, Cllr O'Hanlon said it was an "honour" to be elected district leader.
"It's a position I've never held in my 33 years of public serice even though I was the first 'official' deputy mayor of Limerick City," said Cllr O'Hanlon who was joined at the top table by Mayor John Moran.

He was first deputy mayor in the late 1990s when that became a salaried position.

Cllr O'Hanlon thanked those who have supported him in helping him secure re-election for a seventh straight occasion at Limerick Racecourse earlier this month.

Among those present in the gallery were his wife Mary, friends and family.

"I believe there is now an opportunity to reset the dial and make council more efficient and relevant in Limerick City," he said.
"The metropolitan district does not reflect the importance of our role and is not clearly understood. A council elected by over 110,000 people is more than a district in my opinion needs to renamed Limerick metro council," he added.

Among his goals for his year in office include ensuring Thomond Park stays the home of Munster Rugby, a greater garda presence on city streets, and bringing the Fleadh Cheoil to Limerick.

He has pledged to also invite Natasha O'Brien, who spoke powerfully after being the victim of an attack by soldier Cathal Crotty, into the chamber for a special reception.

He described her as a "great courageous lady" and said what happened to her was "deplorable".

"She has shone a light on what is unacceptable behaviour of any individual," he said.