Fitzsimons elected Mayor of Navan

Navan's longest serving councillor, Padraig Fitzsimons (Fianna Fail) has been elected Mayor of Navan for the coming year.

Cllr Fitzsimons who has been Mayor twice before, in 2009 and 2021, takes over from Cllr Eddie Fennessy who held the position for the past three years.

Cllr Fitzsimons was proposed by Cllr Francis Deane (Ind) who said the Fitzsimons family had been involved in politics in Navan for over 90 years.

He was seconded by Cllr Alan Lawes (Ind).

Cllr Yemi Adenuga (FG) was proposed by Cllr John Duffy, and Cllr Fitzsimons was elected by four votes to two, with Cllr Fennessy also supporting the Fianna Fail councillor.

Cllr Francis Deane was elected deputy Mayor.

Cllr Fitzsimons paid tribute to Cllr Fennessy on his years in office . "His commitment and drive was incredible and the result of the elections showed that," he said.

He said it would be an honour to represent Navan and he was proud to be part of a family tradition. His grandfather, Pat, his father, Paddy and uncle, Jim had all been elected representatives.

"I hope I am fit to stand in their shoes," he said.

Cllr Fitzsimons spoke of the differences between when he was first elected in 2004 and today. "The council had no money at that time and now we are seeing such a huge level of investment,

"In the last 20 years, we have seen the opening of the Solstice, Backwater Park and the introduction of the bus service and cycleways.

"We have 20 national schools in the area and the Navan to Kingscourt to Greenway opened. If someone told us all this in 2000, we'd have laughed them out of it.

"We used to have to wait to get a pothole filled."

The new Mayor said he was looking forward to seeing the development of the old St Patrick school, the opening of the new bridge, new facilities in Johnstown , the Andy Brennan Park/Ramparts project , the Navan Slane Greenway, new CCTV cameras and the train coming to Navan.

"As councillors, we must get behind Navan Hospital. It is a big employer in the town," he said.

He also spoke of the importance of supporting local business.

"Without private enterprise there would be no local government."

Cllr Fennessy said serving as mayor had been, not just a role or a title, but a true privilege.

"Engaging with countless community groups, disability service providers, resident associations, and sports clubs has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. Each conversation, each meeting, each event has enriched my life and deepened my love for this town."

One of the highlights of his term as Mayor was the conservation of Navan's Medieval Town Walls. "This project has not just preserved a piece of our history; it has also connected us to our past in a way that I hope will resonate for generations to come. Joining the Irish Walled Towns Network has also given us the opportunity to showcase our town's heritage. And I was glad to play a small part in activating those projects.

"The town bus service and the cycle network are also very close to my heart. Enhancing these services over the past few years, was not just about improving transport, it was about making Navan more accessible for everyone. Whether you are heading to work, school, or simply out for a day of fun or shopping, it is essential that we have the means to get around our town in a safe and sustainable way.

"Let us not forget the old St Pat's Study Hall. The groundwork for this regeneration project has been laid over many years, by several different groups of councillors and I think it is important to acknowledge that. This year will mark the beginning of a new chapter for this historic building and I am thrilled that works are due to commence on-site by the end of the year.

"The Navan Cultural Quarter, with the community hub and county archive project, is more than just a development. It is a promise for the future of our community.

"This initiative will be a fantastic addition to our town, providing a space for creativity, learning, and connection. I can already envision the laughter, the conversations, and the memories that will be made within those walls."

Cllr Yemi Adenuga congratulated both Cllr Fitzsimons on his new role and Cllr Fennessy on his term as mayor.

However, referring to the mayoral pact which will see Cllrs Fitzsimons, Deane, Fennessy and Lawes sharing the mayoralty over the term of this council, she said she hoped "the boys club would consider gender balance before the term was up."

Cllr Alan Lawes said there had been another woman on the council, but when Fine Gael co-opted a councillor to replace her, they chose a man. "You should have raised this with your party," he said.

Cllr Adenuga said it was hard to get women to put themselves forward in politics "Because of things like this."

"For five years, before that co-option, the boys club in place," she said.