Cllr Parsons ‘honoured’ to Chair Ballinasloe MD for second time

BALLINASLOE Councillor Evelyn Parsons has been elected as the Cathaoirleach for the Ballinasloe Municipal District.

The Independent Cllr replaced the outgoing Cathaoirleach Peter Keaveney at Wednesday's Ballinasloe MD meeting.

Cllr Michael Connolly proposed Cllr Parsons for the position, which was seconded by Cllr Keaveney. Cllr Alan Harney, also from Ballinasloe, will act as Leas Cathaoirleach for the coming 12 months.

“I am deeply honoured to be elected as Cathaoirleach. I accept the role with humility and a strong sense of responsibility. It is a privilege to serve the people of this Municipal District,” said Cllr Parsons.

“Ballinasloe has always been a meeting place, where people have come together to trade. It’s in the name of Béal Átha na Sluaighe. It’s at the crossroads of East Galway and South Roscommon and its influence extends beyond any county boundary,” offered Cllr Parsons, a County Councillor since 2020.

Cllr Parsons, who previously served as Ballinasloe MD Cathaoirleach from 2022 to 2023, said she was looking forward to engaging matters related to the Municipal District such as housing delivery, road safety, flood mitigation, infrastructure as well as recreation and tourism.

Harney elected Leas Cathaoirleach

She highlighted the delivery of a domestic violence step-down facility at the St. Brigid’s Hospital Campus in Ballinasloe as something she would continue to advocate for, along with the restoration of full maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital.

Fine Gael Cllr Alan Harney was proposed for the position of Leas Cathaoirleach by Cllr Michael Connolly and seconded by Cllr Keaveney.

Williamstown Cllr Declan Geraghty had initially proposed Cllr Michael Connolly for Leas Cathaoirleach, but Cllr Connolly said he wished to “respectfully withdraw” from taking on the position.

“The area covered by the Municipal District is so vast, from the bridge in Banagher to the bridge in Ballymoe, that I feel our area should be represented down that side of the county, from the Mountbellew side down. I’ve nothing against Cllr Harney,” explained Cllr Geraghty.

Glenamaddy Cllr Peter Keaveney thanked his fellow Councillors and Galway County Council staff members working in the Ballinasloe MD as his term as Cathaoirleach came to a close.

“As John Major said one time, when the curtain falls, it’s time to get off the stage,” quipped Cllr Keaveney.

The five other Ballinasloe MD Councillors, and Director of Housing with Galway County Council Damien Mitchell, reserved praise and warm words for Cllr Keaveney.

“You’ve been an excellent Cathaoirleach for this Municipal District and when you served as the County Council Cathaoirleach,” said Cllr Parsons.

“You’re a steady hand and a cool head. You’ve been very fair and unflappable, and allowed as time to get out points across, and we really appreciate that.”