New cathaoirleach for Mayo as Kilkelly's John Caulfield takes the chain

Councillor John Caulfield has been elected cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, becoming the first person from the Kilkelly area to hold the office since 1951.

The Fianna Fáil councillor, who has represented the east Mayo area since his first election in 2014, was elected at the council's annual general meeting this afternoon, replacing the outgoing Cllr Sean Carey.

He was proposed by Councillor Damien Ryan and seconded by Councillor Adrian Forkan.

Councillor Gerry Coyle of Fine Gael was elected leas-chathaoirleach, proposed by Councillor Peter Flynn and seconded by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly.

Proposing Councillor Caulfield, Councillor Ryan said his colleague had never shied away from difficult decisions since his first election in 2014, and praised his record on the council, stating that he "bided his time and knew his day would come, well today is that day," he added.

Seconding the nomination, Councillor Forkan, a near neighbour of Councillor Caulfield's in Kilkelly, said the area's last cathaoirleach had been Dominic Cafferky, dating back to 1951, with the Kiltimagh representative hoping his colleague will share the same honour Cafferky had of welcoming home Sam Maguire.

In his address to the chamber, Councillor Caulfield thanked his proposer and seconder, as well as his wife Mary and his family for their support through what he described as a difficult two years following a serious injury that left him in a wheelchair.

"It's an honour to take up the position," he said.

He went on to outline housing as the greatest challenge facing the county, thanking outgoing director of housing Tom Gilligan for his work and welcoming incoming director Catherine McConnell.

He also paid tribute to his former national school teacher, Joseph Smyth, crediting him with instilling in him a love of the Irish language, music and drama, and pledged to promote the use of Irish at every opportunity.

Councillor Caulfield said one of his proudest moments as a councillor came during the recent civic reception held for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, witnessing a performance by Cuimsiú, a branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mayo, made up of musicians living with various challenges, including visual impairment and non-verbal members, whose confidence and talent he said had made the county proud.

Tributes poured in from across the chamber.

Councillor Peter Flynn said it was a "proud day" for the county, noting it was 70 years since the area had produced a cathaoirleach.

Councillor Richard Finn, speaking on behalf of independent councillors, congratulated Councillor Caulfield.

Several members referenced Councillor Caulfield's recovery from a serious injury two years ago that left him in a wheelchair and required him to attend council meetings remotely via Teams for a period.

Councillor Gerry Murray said that despite the accident being "a battle," Councillor Caulfield had remained present online and working for the people and communities he represented.

Councillor Richard Finn said it would have brought most people down, but Councillor Caulfield had carried it with a positive attitude.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said it was heartening that his health had been the subject of so much positive discussion in the chamber, while Councillor Michael Loftus praised his determination to continue attending meetings throughout.

Several members also paid tribute to Councillor Coyle on his election as leas-cathaoirleach, with Councillor Flynn noting his long association with Geesala Boxing Club and predicting the pair would make "quite the double act" over the year ahead.

Councillor Caulfield's first act as cathaoirleach was to confirm the appointment of Councillor Coyle as leas-cathaoirleach.