I will unashamedly boast about Cork, says new mayor
Fine Gael Cllr Des Cahill has been elected the new Lord Mayor of Cork, .
Mr Cahill, 45, from Ballintemple, and who represents the south east ward, was elected 20 votes to 3 this evening after defeating the only other nominee for the role, AAA Cllr Marion O'Sullivan.
The new mayor takes the chain of office #corkcc pic.twitter.com/oFHhSgP1CQ
— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) June 24, 2016
Mr Cahill was nominated by FG Cllr John Buttimer and seconded by FF Cllr Terry Shannon.
He won the vote under the terms of the d’Hondt arrangement on Cork City Council, which sees the mayoral chain rotate between FF, Sinn Féin and FG.
"If one word could encapsulate what I wish to instil in the people of Cork this coming year, its positivity," Mr Cahill said.
"I as Lord Mayor will unashamedly boast about Cork, why you should live, shop, visit and work here.
"Cork City now more than ever needs to become known again as a positive city. Positive in living, positive in business, a city where all possibilities are achievable."
But Mr Cahill also said he was saddened that the most influential people in his life are no longer with him.
His mother Dina died in the last year, and his father, Bob, died a few years ago.
He also paid tribute to his sister in law, Fiona, who died three years ago, and her other, Musette who just recently passed away.
"My mother was an amazing woman who had an incredible work ethic and a lady full of compassion," he said.
"My parents instilled that work ethic and compassion in all of us at home.
"They also created an environment that anything was possible through hard work, and that you should never knock or put down a competitor but you should always put forward your own strengths and abilities."
Fine Gael Cllr Joe Kavanagh was elected deputy mayor unopposed.
