A Fine Gael councillor has taking the reigns of the Mayoralty of Limerick City and County from Fianna Fail’s Michael Collins, and has undertaken to focus on the mental health of Limerick citizens hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The election of Cllr Daniel Butler happened at a meeting of the joint Limerick authority, held outside Council chambers, today, at the Millennium Theatre, Limerick Institute of Technology, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.
Mr Butler was elected unanimously by the 40 Council members, and speaking afterwards, he said he wanted to focus the mayoralty on Limerick citizens “wellbeing” in uncertain times.
“As we emerge from COVID my commitment is to listen, have empathy and to open my mind to new experiences. Everyone may not agree with me, but I hope they will be able to understand and accept the reasoning behind my decisions,” he said.
“The message to every citizen especially those who are struggling is that I see you, I value you for who you are, you are important to me and to Limerick and that I hold you central to today’s event. We cannot be us without you.”
Mayor Butler was first co-opted onto Limerick County Council in 2014 following the death of his father Richard, who had been Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council in 2010-11 and has retained the seat in every subsequent local election.
It may be the last time a mayor is elected solely by fellow elected members.
Legislation to allow for the country’s first ever directly elected mayor – to be held in Limerick – is currently going through the Oireachtas, and is earmarked to go ahead in 2022.
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