Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy O'Rourke has been elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council at today's AGM in Carrick on Shannon. Cllr O'Rourke topped the poll in the Ballinamore LEA with 1,434 first preference votes. Fianna Fáil's Sean McGowan has been elected Leas Cathaoirleach for the next year.
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independents James Gilmartin, Eddie Mitchell, Enda Stenson, and Felim Gurn complete the coalition in Leitrim. Independent Cllr Des Guckian left the meeting after 10 minutes saying he is concerned about the future of Leitrim County Council. Cllr Guckian also was critical of the new coalition in Leitrim and said the turnout for the local election was worrying. However speaking to Shannonside FM after the meeting, Cathaoirleach Paddy O'Rourke believes continuity is helpful to a successful council:
