Former Cork South West Fine Gael TD, Mr P.J. Sheehan, yesterday celebrated 37 years of service on Cork County Council when he was elected Mayor of Cork County on the first count.
Cllr Sheehan - who lost his Dáil seat in Cork South West in the last general election - received the support of Fine Gael's 24 councillors and Independent Cllr Noel Collins.
Fianna Fáil nominee, Cllr Alan Coleman received the backing of his 16 councillors, while Labour's Ms Paula Desmond received the backing of her party's five representatives. Sinn Féin's Mr Martin Hallinan and Independent Mr Christy O'Sullivan abstained.
In Limerick, Deputy Michael Collins, who resigned the Fianna Fáil whip last year following tax revelations was elected vice-chairman of Limerick Co Council. He received the support of the three PD members to beat the FG nominee, Mr David Naughton, by two votes. Cllr Eddie Wade (FF), was elected chairman by the same margin, beating Ms Mary Jackman (FG).
In Clare, Fianna Fáil dramatically maintained control of the county council. The local elections left Fianna Fáil with 15 of the 32 member council and the prospect of the party losing control of the council for the first time in 70 years.
A large crowd gathered in anticipation of seeing the first opposition candidate elected to the mayor's office since the 1920s.
However, Fianna Fáil nominated the Independent, Mr Tommy Brennan, while Fine Gael's Ms Madeleine Taylor-Quinn nominated Independent Ms Patricia McCarthy. When the two tied the returning officer said the election would be decided by drawing lots. County manager, Mr Alec Fleming, dipped his hand in the box and produced the name of Cllr Brennan.
He said he had no deal with Fianna Fáil and proposed that the meeting be adjourned to allow all sides to negotiate on the various posts, including that of deputy mayor.
A so called "technical coalition" of Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and four Independents voted Independent councillor Mr Willie Burke as the new Mayor of Co Galway by 16 votes to 13 last evening. The alliance, which is contrary to the national policy of some of the parties involved, elected Cllr Tom McHugh (FG), as deputy mayor.
Cllr Niamh Bhreathnach (Lab), was elected cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Cllr Pat Hand (FG), was elected leas cathaoirleach.
Fianna Fáil took the posts of chairman and vice chairman of Kerry County Council after a deal with Sinn Féin and two Independent Fianna Fáil councillors. Efforts by Fine Gael to negotiate a pact for control of the council failed.
The new Mayor of Kerry, Mr Ned O'Sullivan (FF), defeated Mr Bobby O'Connell (FG), by 15 votes to 12. As part of the deal one of the Sinn Féin councillors Mr Robert Beasley and Ms Toireasa Ferris, will take over the mayorship next year. In Donegal, Fianna Fáil agreed a pact with Independent Fianna Fáil to give them control of Donegal Co Council. Mr Patrick McGowan (FF), was elected chairman.The new chairwoman of Kilkenny Co council is Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh (FG).
Cllr John Carey was elected by 15 votes to six as the Waterford County Mayor and Cllr Ann-Marie Power (FG), was elected deputy mayor.
In Co Louth for the first time in 22 years Fine Gael took the chairmanship of the county council after it agreed a pact with Fianna Fáil. The pact ensured Sinn Féin did not succeed in having their candidate elected.
In Meath, Fianna Fáil with the support of three Independent councillors retained the chairmanship of the county council. The new chairman is Mr Tommy Reilly and the vice chairman is Mr Jim Holloway (FG).
Monaghan County Council unanimously elected Mr Owen Bannigan (FG), as new county mayor and Cllr Vincent P. Martin (Ind), as deputy mayor.
Independent councillor Ms Margaret Gormley was elected chairwoman of Sligo Co Council.