Independent Councillor Kevin Callan has been elected as Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council on Friday with a substantial majority of 19 of the councillors voting in his favour. 
 
The current outgoing Deputy Mayor of Drogheda is the first independent to be elected to the position in over 25 years and is also the first independent elected to have the support of a group of independents who are working together in the County Council with representatives from Drogheda, Mid Louth and Dundalk. 
 
"I am deeply honoured to have been proposed by Cllr Jim Tenanty who I have worked with for ten years and seconded by Cllr Pio Smith who I have worked with in Drogheda for over ten years" Cllr callan said.
 
"Anyone who knows me knows that I take public service extremely seriously and I will give the role my all and work with everyone in the chamber to help everyone in the efforts that they are making.
 
"I thank the outgoing chair Cllr Paula Butterly for her year of working with dignity, respect and courtesy in the excellent discharge of her duties for the county. 
 
Cllr Callan was first elected to Drogheda Borough Council in 2009 after losing his first election at the age of 21 in 2004. He was subsequently elected to Louth County Council in 2014 and 2019 where he won two seats and co-opted Cllr Declan Powerwho was elected to the seat this summer.
 
Cllr Callan has served as Mayor of Drogheda on 3 occasions and as Deputy Mayor on four. He is also the last servicing member of Drogheda Borough Council and he is an advocate for the restoration of the Borough Council. 
 
Speaking after his election, Cllr Callan said that he was very aware of the current situation in the county with more independents than ever being elected and the group he is working with includes Cllrs Tenanty, Power, Mc Quillan and Fisher which covers all parts of the county. 
 
"The burden is on us to show that we will continue work with anyone in the interests of the county, we get on extremely well as a group and this is a massive help and we will all be working across the chamber with colleagues of all political persuasions to deliver for the people who have elected us" he said.