24/06/2008

Limerick Mayor Triumphs In Shock Win

Not everything went according to plan on Monday night after a shock mayoral vote in Limerick City Council.

A long-held pact was broken seeing an independent candidate clinching the coveted position of Mayor.

John Gilligan shocked fellow councillors when he became the city's 812th first citizen.

Fine Gael's candidate, Kevin Keily, who was expected to take up the role as per a long-held agreement to support him, lost out following a break in the pact between Fine Gael and the remaining three Labour Party councillors.

Despite the agreement, Labour's John Ryan voted for Mr Gilligan, giving him a 9-8 victory over Mr Kiely.

Speaking after the dramatic vote, the new Mayor Mr Gilligan said it had taken him 18 years to get to this position but it was "worth every minute of it".

The 59-year-old father of five vowed to work for change during his tenure.

Mr Gilligan is the longest-serving councillor currently on Limerick City Council and has been one of the most vocal on the fight against crime in the city, making repeated calls on the national government to improve the number of gardaí and garda stations in Limerick.

(DW)

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