New Lord Mayor of Cork vows to make city centre safer with 'decisive action'
The new Lord Mayor of Cork has vowed to work to make the city centre safer and to make historic City Hall more accessible to citizens.
Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Dennehy, who represents the city's south west local electoral area, made the pledge after his election at the annual general meeting of Cork City Council on Friday night, which was attended by his party leader and Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
'Cork's heart must be a place where everyone feels welcome and secure,' Togher-based Mr Dennehy said.
'By working closely with An Garda Síochána, businesses, and community groups, we will maintain confidence and vibrancy to our city centre.
'I welcome the recent appointment of a council director with specific responsibility for the city centre and also the collaboration with the Cork Business Association to provide city centre wardens.
'I will work closely with all of the stakeholders to achieve our goals here to make our city even safer.'
Mr Dennehy, a father of two, was first elected to council in 2004 but lost his seat in 2009. He won it back in 2014 and has retained it since.
He was nominated for the position, and faced a vote against Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy and Sinn Féin Cllr Michelle Gould.
He secured 23 votes, against five for Ms Gould and two for Mr McCarthy, and took the chain of office some 42 years after his father, former Fianna Fáil TD, John Dennehy, was elected lord mayor, leading the city through the Cork 800 celebrations.
'Your leadership and collaboration with businesses and communities laid the foundation for a year of pride and achievement that still resonates in Cork,' Mr Dennehy said.
Thank you for your continued service and dedication to our city and of course thank you for everything that you have done for me as my father in both my political and personal life.
They are the third father and son duo to hold the mayoral office in recent years — following on from John and Brian Bermingham, and Danny and Damian Wallace.
There were cross-party tributes to outgoing Lord Mayor Dan Boyle, and deputy Lord Mayor, Honore Kamegni, for their work over the last 12 months.
In his speech, Mr Dennehy said the city stands at a crossroads, facing challenges in housing and transport that demand 'bold vision and decisive action'.
'With a huge projected population growth in the coming years, we must ensure every citizen has access to quality social and affordable housing,' he said.
He said transport projects such as the Luas light rail and BusConnects must serve all residents equitably and protect our environment for generations to come, and he cited the potential of Cork docklands, but said growth must be inclusive, lifting all citizens, and all communities.
'For me, Cork has always been about its people and communities,' he said.
'Everything we do as a city council must be guided by their needs and aspirations.
'I will continue to work closely with community groups, sporting organizations, our elected representatives and the voluntary sector to strengthen the bonds that have already made this city so special.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Fergal Dennehy elected as Lord Mayor of Cork
Fianna Fáil's Fergal Dennehy has been elected as the Lord Mayor of Cork at a meeting of Cork City Council. Mr Dennehy, a councillor, was elected by 23 votes in the Council Chamber. In his mayoral speech, Mr Dennehy said he was "deeply honoured" to be elected mayor, adding that he is "fully aware of the responsibility it carries". He pledged to "acknowledge and strengthen" communities and to work with "young people to ensure that they can be the best that they can be". He added that he will collaborate and work with officials and stakeholders "across the political spectrum" to make Cork city "a place that all Corkonians can be proud of". Newley Elected Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Fergal Dennehy with elected Deputy Lord Mayor Margaret McDonnell. — Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) June 20, 2025 Mr Dennehy was co-opted to Cork City Council in 2003 and subsequently elected in 2004, 2014, 2019, and 2024. His father, John Dennehy, was also Lord Mayor of Cork. The Lord Mayor also announced that fellow Councillor Margaret McDonnell will be the Deputy Lord Mayor. Ms McDonnell, also of the Fianna Fáil party, said she was "extremely honoured" to be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor. "I look forward to working with the new elected Lord Mayor and supporting him in every way I can over the coming year," she said.
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
New Lord Mayor of Cork vows to make city centre safer with 'decisive action'
The new Lord Mayor of Cork has vowed to work to make the city centre safer and to make historic City Hall more accessible to citizens. Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Dennehy, who represents the city's south west local electoral area, made the pledge after his election at the annual general meeting of Cork City Council on Friday night, which was attended by his party leader and Taoiseach, Micheál Martin. 'Cork's heart must be a place where everyone feels welcome and secure,' Togher-based Mr Dennehy said. 'By working closely with An Garda Síochána, businesses, and community groups, we will maintain confidence and vibrancy to our city centre. 'I welcome the recent appointment of a council director with specific responsibility for the city centre and also the collaboration with the Cork Business Association to provide city centre wardens. 'I will work closely with all of the stakeholders to achieve our goals here to make our city even safer.' Mr Dennehy, a father of two, was first elected to council in 2004 but lost his seat in 2009. He won it back in 2014 and has retained it since. He was nominated for the position, and faced a vote against Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy and Sinn Féin Cllr Michelle Gould. He secured 23 votes, against five for Ms Gould and two for Mr McCarthy, and took the chain of office some 42 years after his father, former Fianna Fáil TD, John Dennehy, was elected lord mayor, leading the city through the Cork 800 celebrations. 'Your leadership and collaboration with businesses and communities laid the foundation for a year of pride and achievement that still resonates in Cork,' Mr Dennehy said. Thank you for your continued service and dedication to our city and of course thank you for everything that you have done for me as my father in both my political and personal life. They are the third father and son duo to hold the mayoral office in recent years — following on from John and Brian Bermingham, and Danny and Damian Wallace. There were cross-party tributes to outgoing Lord Mayor Dan Boyle, and deputy Lord Mayor, Honore Kamegni, for their work over the last 12 months. In his speech, Mr Dennehy said the city stands at a crossroads, facing challenges in housing and transport that demand 'bold vision and decisive action'. 'With a huge projected population growth in the coming years, we must ensure every citizen has access to quality social and affordable housing,' he said. He said transport projects such as the Luas light rail and BusConnects must serve all residents equitably and protect our environment for generations to come, and he cited the potential of Cork docklands, but said growth must be inclusive, lifting all citizens, and all communities. 'For me, Cork has always been about its people and communities,' he said. 'Everything we do as a city council must be guided by their needs and aspirations. 'I will continue to work closely with community groups, sporting organizations, our elected representatives and the voluntary sector to strengthen the bonds that have already made this city so special.'
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
First Minister O'Neill remains vague about potential presidential candidacy
The North's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has failed to rule herself out as a potential candidate for the Irish presidential election. When asked to comment on speculation that she may throw her hat into the ring, Ms O'Neill was coy, only saying: "I think I have plenty to do as first minister." Asked whether or not she was considering it, she responded: "I am... working our way through deliberations as we speak." Sinn Féin is in the midst of a consultation process with members on how it will proceed in terms of the election. "It's a very important and significant role. Sinn Féin could have a candidate or support someone from outside of Sinn Féin. There are merits in both options," a party spokesperson said. While remaining vague on her own ambitions in terms of the presidency, Ms O'Neill was clear on wanting to see voting rights extended to citizens in the North. I could stand for election, I could be elected Uachtarán na hÉireann but I cannot vote in that election. "So that is where there is a deficit, and what we need to see is presidential voting rights extended to Irish citizens in the North," said Ms O'Neill. She was speaking at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh where Taoiseach Micheál Martin was also questioned about possible candidates to take on the role. Mr Martin appeared to be caught off-guard by a suggestion that former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood could be a possible Fianna Fáil candidate. "There has been no contact with me and there has been no engagement that I am aware of with the Fianna Fáil party and it has not been on the agenda," the Fianna Fáil leader said. The party has not yet concluded its deliberations with Mr Martin suggesting that it is likely to be later in the summer when they make an announcement on the matter.
