Brothers get mayoral job on same day

TWO brothers have been elected mayors of different county councils on the very same day.

Cllr Jack Walsh became Mayor of Co Waterford at the same time that his brother, Cllr Tomás Breathnach, was collecting the chain of office from Kilkenny County Council.

To make the occasion every more unusual, Tomás was following in the footsteps of another brother, Joe, who was a previous chain holder in Kilkenny.

The newly elected brothers, who are originally from Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny, say their priority during their next 12 months in office is to get further investment and development in the south-east region.

They say this is essential to help reduce the region’s reliance on traditional employment sources such as manufacturing and agriculture.

Tomás and Jack will also continue lobbying for Waterford Institute of Technology to be redesignated as a university.

“This is an exciting time for Waterford city with a lot of positive things happening. This change for the better is the result of the hard work and dedication of a lot of people in our city and I am pleased to have been involved in many of the key projects that are at the heart of this progress,” said Cllr Walsh.

Like his brother, Cllr Breathnach is a long-standing member of the Labour party, and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“As the new mayor of Co Kilkenny, I’m very eager to continue the promotion of the county and the south-east as an exciting and forward-looking region with a lot to offer. I am particularly looking forward to fostering relationships and working with my colleagues in Waterford and throughout the region to realise our potential,” said Cllr Breathnach.

“I’m also really pleased for Jack in his success in Waterford and hope that we both do our family proud over the next year.”