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.

Cha O’Neill, who lives at Shannon Drive, Avondale, was first elected to the council in 1999, is married to Kathleen and has five children, Joanne, Emma, Donna, Laurence and Kate, and two grandchildren.

His own grandfather, the late Tom Gallagher, served as mayor for two consecutive terms 50 years ago.

“I’m absolutely honoured to hold this post,” Cha said yesterday. “I’ve a number of key priorities. They include getting radiotherapy for Waterford.

“Mary Harney says it’s coming. But we are going to continue to fight for it. We have to fight for everything in Waterford.

“By the end of my term, we will also have university status for WIT, please God,” the new mayor added.

He said 12 months in office is a short time but he intends to put his own stamp on the office.