Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice was elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council at the local authority's AGM this afternoon. He defeated Independent Ireland Cllr Nigel Dineen, who was proposed by Cllr Tony Ward and seconded by Cllr Anthony Waldron, by 12 votes to four. Independent Councillors Valerie Byrne and Micheál Frain abstained from the vote. Cllr Fitzmaurice had been proposed by Cllr Marty McDermott on behalf of a coalition made up of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and three Independents.
His nomination was seconded by fellow Castlerea councillor Gareth Scahill of Fine Gael. Cllr Fitzmaurice said it was a great honour to receive the chain of office for the second time, having first held the position in 2019. His party colleague and newly-elected Councillor Larry Brennan was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach, defeating Sinn Féin's Leah Cull in a vote of 12 votes to 4.
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Cllrs Byrne and Frain once again abstained from the vote. Cllr Brennan was proposed by party colleague and fellow new Council arrival Sean Moylan and seconded by Fine Gael's John Naughten.
