Former Clare TD James Breen has become the new Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
The Independent Kilnamona Councillor was unanimously chosen to Chair the local authority for the year ahead, taking the Mayoral Chains from outgoing Cathoirleach, John Crowe from Sixmilebridge.
It's 30 years since James Breen was first elected to Clare County Council – he also served as a TD for Clare from 2002 to 2007 but today he expressed his pride on becoming the first citizen of his home county, saying there could be no greater honour.
Councillor Breen's family, friends, supporters and neighbours from Kilnamona packed the public gallery as his election was proposed by fellow Independent Councillors Michael Begley and Christy Curtin and backed unanimously in line with a cross party power sharing agreement reached by all 28 members last year.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard has been elected as Leas Cathoirleach after just one year on Clare County Council having been proposed and seconded by party colleagues Joe Cooney and Johnny Flynn
