Cllr John Shaw, incoming mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, receives the chain of office from the outgoing mayor, Cllr Hazel Smyth, at the AGM on Monday.

Shaw chosen as new mayor of Mullingar

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The new mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad for the coming year is to be the Fianna Fail auctioneer, Cllr John Shaw, and the role of deputy mayor is in the hands of Cllr Bill Collentine.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Hazel Smyth, said she felt pride in serving in the role: “It’s been one of the biggest and best achievements of my life to be able to serve the people of this municipal district,” she said, recalling the many events of which she had been proud to be part.

Cllr Smyth said the fleadh had been a particular highlight: “I have never been more proud to be from Westmeath and to call this my home town,” she said.

Cllr John Shaw, incoming mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, receives the chain of office from the outgoing mayor, Cllr Hazel Smyth, at the AGM on Monday.

Cllr Smyth thanked her family and her colleagues, and the “really amazing” staff of Westmeath County Council, and she said she hoped that her success in serving in politics, despite not coming from a political background, might inspire others.

Compliments were extended to Cllr Smyth by Cllrs John Shaw, Frank McDermott and Paddy Hill. Proposing Cllr John Shaw, Cllr Paddy Hill said he would bring to the role the qualities he had exhibited on the sports field; Cllr Ken Glynn, seconding the proposal, said he would be an excellent mayor and Cllr Denis Leonard welcomed his selection.

Cllr Shaw said he would be looking forward to the year ahead, and said as well as the fleadh, he was looking forward to seeing progression of the new town development plan for Mullingar. Cllr Ken Glynn nominated Cllr Bill Collentine for the role of deputy mayor, and the proposal was seconded by Cllr Aoife Davitt.

Cllr John Shaw, new mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.
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