A South Connemara councillor, Ms Connie Ni Fhatharta (FF), made history at the annual meeting of Galway County Council on her election yesterday as the first woman cathaoirleach of the local authority. Ms Ni Fhatharta, a native of Carraroe, was first elected to the local authority in 1991. She will hold the position until next year.
Ms Ni Fhatharta , an educational co-ordinator with Muintearas, the Gaeltacht education project, is the 35th person to hold the office. She received 1,055 first preferences in the 1999 local elections. She was proposed by Mr Sean O Neachtain and seconded by Mr Josie Conneely, both members of her political grouping who also represent the Connemara electoral area.
Mr Jimmy McClearn (FG) said that his party would not oppose the nomination. Mr Pat Hynes (Ind) also pledged his support and with no other nomination, Ms Ni Fhatharta was deemed to be elected by the outgoing cathaoir leach, Mr Paddy McHugh (FF).
Ms Ni Fhatharta is a member of Udaras na Gaeltachta, the Western Regional Authority and is the only county councillor on the board of the National Roads Authority.