Fine Gael's Smith takes Ballyjamesduff chair

Fine Gael Councillor Trevor Smith has been elected Cathaoirleach of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District for the coming year.

The Ballyjamesduff man was nominated at the MD’s annual general meeting last week by fellow Fine Gael councillor T.P. O'Reilly and Fianna Fáil’s Philip Brady.

Accepting his nomination, Cathaoireach Smith opened his maiden speech with a cúpla focal in Irish saying that he was “honoured” to take up the chairman’s role.

He set out some of his plans for his term including “strengthening the links” between Cavan and the state of Montana in the USA where one of Cavan’s famous sons, Marcus Daly, the “Copper King of Montana” was based.

Cllr Smith said he was also looking forward to overseeing the renovation of the former Percy French Hotel and described the project as “very important to me”.

He said his term will also be one in which government work continues in the Ballyjamesduff/Kilnaleck area with two social housing schemes started in each of the towns.

“And, I’m glad most of the work is being undertaken by local contractors, that’s important,” the newly-elected Cathaoirleach told The Anglo-Celt.

When asked if it was a conscious decision to speak 'as Gaeilge' as Cathaoirleach, Cllr Smith said it’s important that he tries, is seen to try, and that more Irish makes its way into council life and business and that it becomes second nature for everyone to use it and hear it.

Meanwhile, last year’s Cathaoirleach, Independent Councillor Shane P. O’Reilly, accepted the role of Leas Cathaoirleach after the councillor nominated for the role, Sinn Féin’s Noel Connell, turned it down.