“Politics of exclusion continues” says defeated SF candidate Joann Byrne
Councillor James Byrne was this evening elected as the 421st Mayor of Drogheda and Declan Power as his deputy in an election that was perhaps the most unusual mayoral election ever by virtue of the fact that it took place in Dundalk!
There was none of the back slapping or celebratory drinks either because the election took place virtually with all the key players listening in and casting their votes from their homes or offices.
Councillor Byrne was nominated for the post of Mayor by Labour’s Pio Smith and seconded by the outgoing Mayor Kevin Callan.
The only other nomination accepted was for Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne who was nominated by her party colleague Tom Cunningham.
Independent Councillor nominated himself for both positions but received no seconder so was not in contention for either.
The new mayor received votes from all of the councillors except from the two SF councillors and Paddy McQuillan, a voting pattern that was replicated in the election of Declan Power as Deputy Mayor who was nominated by Pio Smith and seconded by the outgoing Mayor.
Thanking the councillors for electing him, the new Mayor, Thomas Byrne offered his commiserations to the defeated candidate Joanna Byrne saying that he had no doubt that she would receive the honour at some stage in the future.
“It is a huge privilege to be elected by my peers to the role for the next 12 months” he said and paid tribute to the outgoing mayor for fulfilling his duties as mayor in what was a difficult year.
He commended Cllr, Callan for his leadership in driving a united front on the issues that mattered to the people of Drogheda during his term in office which he said would not be forgotten.
“It’s a great day for me and for my family too” he said and thanked his wife Emily for her unwavering love and support and to his children Larina and Cathal who were very understanding about his commitment to the role of Councillor.
He of course had some special words for his late father Tommy who, he hoped, would be looking down on the occasion with a sense of pride.
“It is a shame that I could not host this first meeting in Drogheda but what really matters is that we continue working together to face the many challenges head on but also to build on the opportunities too.
“This is a town steeped in history and home to great people who only want the best for Drogheda. I can promise you today that I will do my utmost to represent the town with pride and honour as Drogheda’s first citizen.”
A visibly disappointed Councillor Joanna was the first to congratulate the incoming Mayor and to wish him the very best in his term of office.
“However” she said, “I do feel it would be remiss of me not to comment on what has happened here today.
“There are ten councillors here today as representatives of this town and there are ten positions between Mayor and Deputy Mayor over the five year period so one would think that the fair way to deal with that would be to give every one of us the honour to represent our town in one of those roles” she said.
“The fact that some councillors are excluded from holding office was”, she said, “not a matter of chance but due to the politics of exclusion that is still evidently alive and well.”
“Credit where credit is due to Kevin Callan though for leading us through the last year and pulling us together on issues like the devilment plan d and the PANCR, residents’ concerns, particularly in Trinity Gardens.
“But, you cannot continue to talk from both sides of your mouth, we all work well together until the mayoral election comes around when those of us outside the golden circle get kicked off.”
