First day of the new council

Wayne Harding elected Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council

Slane's Cllr Wayne Harding has been elected as Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council at the first meeting of the new council today.

He was elected with the support of his Fianna Fail colleagues on the council, Cllr Annie Hoey of Labour, Cllr Emer Toibin of Aontu and seven of the Independent councillors.

Cllr Noel French had been nominated by the Fine Gael group on the council, while Independent Cllr Joe Bonner had the support of Sinn Fein and Cllr Alan Lawes.

Cllr Gillian Toole was elected to the position of Leas Cathaoirleach, with the support of the same grouping.

Cllr Harding outlined his four main priorities for the next year - the plight of older children with disabilities for whom there are no services, the Slane By- pass, the Boyne Greenway and housing.

See more on this in Tuesday's paper