Councillor Wayne Harding of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District (MD) was elected Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council at their Annual General Meeting held yesterday (June 9) at Buvinda House, Navan.

This is the second time Cllr Harding has served as first citizen of Meath as he was also Cathaoirleach in 2019. Cllr Sharon Tolan (also of the Laytown/Bettystown MD), who was Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council since June 2024, handed over the chains to Cllr Harding yesterday after his election to the role.

Monday's AGM also saw the election of Cllr Caroline O’Reilly (Ratoath MD) to Leas-Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, succeeding Cllr Suzanne Jamal (Ashbourne MD).

Speaking after the AGM, the new Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding said: "I am delighted to be elected Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council for the second time. I am looking forward to stepping into the role once again for the next 12 months and I would like to commend Cllr Sharon Tolan for all of her exemplary service over the past year."

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Sharon Tolan said: "It has been an honour to serve the people of Meath as Cathaoirleach, a role that has allowed me to meet so many inspiring people and attend so many significant events, both nationally and internationally, in 2024 and 2025. I am very pleased to hand the chains over to Cllr Wayne Harding and I would like to congratulate him on this richly deserved election."

Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: "As first citizen of Co. Meath, the Cathaoirleach of the Council is a hugely important role, presiding over Council meetings, statutory budget meetings, representing Meath at various events, in addition to any other duties that is required of them. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Cllr Tolan over the past year who served with the utmost distinction and congratulate Cllr Harding on his election.

“I would also like to commend Cllr Jamal for her excellent work as Leas-Cathaoirleach since June 2024 and congratulate our new Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Caroline O’Reilly and wish her luck for her term.”