“Dan Boyle: Cork’s First Green Mayor”

Dan Boyle, previously a Green Party TD, achieved a first for the city of Cork, as he was appointed Green Lord Mayor last Friday, under a four-party agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party, and Labour. The 61-year-old Mr. Boyle had been voted in as a Green Party TD for Cork South Central back in 2002 and functioned as a Senator from 2007 until 2011. Green Party Cllr Oliver Moran nominated him for Lord Mayor, and Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Sean Martin seconded the nomination.

He won a significant victory against Sinn Féin Cllr Fiona Kerins, gaining 22 votes to Kerins’s seven, with votes coming from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party, Labour, Social Democrats, and the exiting Lord Mayor, independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

As planned, Fianna Fáil will take up the chair twice, and Fine Gael, the Greens, and Labour will each take the chair once in the council’s five-year term. Sinn Féin’s Cllr Joe Lynch criticized the agreement as one designed to divide roles and benefits.

Mr. Boyle became a member of the Cork City Council in 1991 and reflecting on his initial inexperience, is now set to prioritise dealing with building vacancies and decay, augmenting public areas, especially green spaces, and enhancing footpath conditions during his mayorship. In his acceptance speech at Cork City Hall, he accentuated the issue of underused and neglected buildings in the city and their potential for rejuvenating communities and aiding local businesses.

Hailing from Chicago, Mr Boyle relocated to Cork at the tender age of eight, following in the footsteps of his now deceased parents, Joe from Arranmore in Donegal and Sheila, a Cork native. He expressed his profound sense of pride at being hailed Cork’s premier citizen.

He confessed to having a faint glimmer of hope about becoming the Lord Mayor, understanding the prestige associated with the role. However, he was also acutely mindful of the fact that his journey within a smaller political party would not make this an easy task. Nevertheless, his appointment as the Lord Mayor, a recognition that he places on a higher pedestal than his past honour of being a TD for the city, filled him with joy. He views this office as a historic one, going back to the time of Mac Curtain and Mac Swiney and the sacrifices they made. This position, he believes, represents the ultimate accolade one can earn in Cork’s public sphere and his elation is palpable.

In a groundbreaking move, fellow member of the Green Party and inaugural councillor, Honore Kamegni (46), ushered into history as Cork’s first black elected public representative on any council, was confirmed as the Deputy Mayor. This decision was backed by several major parties including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Greens and Labour.

Earlier, seasoned Fianna Fáil Councillor Joe Carroll from Skibbereen was appointed as the Mayor of Cork County, while Independent Councillor Martin Coughlan from Macroom was inducted as the Deputy Mayor. These appointments were the outcome of a pact between Fianna Fáil, Independents and Labour.

Condividi