Brendan Mulroy in line for top Mayo council job

WESTPORT Fianna Fàil Councillor Brendan Mulroy is in line to be elected cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council for the first time.

He will be nominated by his party for the prestigious position at the annual general meeting of the incoming council at Aras an Chontae in Castlebar tomorrow morning.

A public representative since 1999, Councillor Mulroy's nomination will have the support of a majority of 16 votes, 11 Fianna Fàil and five independent members.

An agreement was reached last night between Fianna Fàil and five non-party representative (Mark Duffy, Richard Finn, Christy Hyland, Michael Kilcoyne and Seamus Weir) to form an alliance on the authority for the next five years.

Moorehall FF Councillor Al McDonnell will be elected vice-chairman as a result of the agreement.

Swinford FF Councillor Michael Smyth will be cathaoirleach in the council's third year with Crossmolina Councillor Michael Loftus serving in the role for the fifth year.

Independent councillors Seamus Weir and Richard Finn or Christy Hyland will also have a year in the chair during the coming five year term.