Family affair for Waterford mayor

EXACTLY 50 years after his late grandfather, Tom Gallagher, wore the mayoral chain in Waterford city, Independent councillor Laurence (Cha) O’Neill has become the new mayor.

With 11 votes, fun-loving community man, Cha O’Neill, saw off a token challenge from Workers’ Party councillor Davy Walsh for the post.

The 52-year-old, who works with Eagle Star Life on Cork’s South Mall, has vowed to put his own hallmark on the office over the coming year. He’s hurling mad, an avid Deise supporter and one of the founder members of the Roanmore Hurling Club which feeds through players to Mount Sion.