25-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Son follows in father's footsteps to become Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council
Cllr Callaghan, whose father, Tom Callaghan, passed away three weeks ago, was elected unopposed at the local authority's annual general meeting.
The Rathmoyle-based Fine Gael councillor received the chain of office from outgoing Cathaoirelach Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice (Fianna Fáil).
Cllr Callaghan is only the second son of a former Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach to hold the office. His late father, Cllr Tom Callaghan served as Cathaoirleach from 1996 and 1997. In 2018, former councillor Ivan Connaughton made history when he was elected Cathaoirleach of the council five years after his father, Martin, held the office.
Cllr Callaghan was proposed for the position by Cllr Ruth Conboy (Fine Gael) and seconded by Cllr John Keogh (Fianna Fáil). Cllr was subsequently elected as Leas Cathaoirleach for the year ahead.
First elected to Roscommon County Council in 2009, Cllr Callaghan was re-elected in the 2019 and 2024 local elections and is a farmer by profession.
Speaking following his election, Cllr Callaghan said he was 'honoured and humbled to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council,' describing it as 'a great honour and one that I don't take lightly.'
Cllr Callaghan paid tribute to his late father and to former county councillors John Naughten and Anthony Waldron, who passed away within the last year.
'Both men showed the best qualities of what being a councillor was all about – working hard for the people they serve and always striving for the best for their communities,' he said.
'It's important to remember that all of us here in this chamber, regardless of political affiliation or none, are guided by one common purpose – to do our very best for the people we serve. It's about making Roscommon the best place it can be to live, work, invest in and visit. It's about being proud of our county.'
Cllr Callaghan spoke positively about the ongoing multi-million-euro development of the N5 between Ballaghaderreen and Scramogue. He also said he would like to see continued investment Lough Key Forest Park and Strokestown Park House and the delivery of quality, affordable homes.
He concluded his remarks by thanking his family, 'in particular my wife Joan, daughter Aisling and sons Gavin and Neil; my brother Ollie and my late brother Gerry as well as my sisters Aileen and Eithne. I look forward to working with you all over the next twelve months.'
