John Moran, a former Wall Street lawyer who played a crucial role in aiding Ireland’s recovery from the recession of the mid-2000s, created a momentous occasion on Tuesday when he was inaugurated as Ireland’s first directly elected mayor. With 18,308 primary votes behind him, Moran, a Limerick native who returned to his family’s farm in west Limerick after being born in the UK, became the favourite of the citizens of both Limerick city and county.
Running as an independent candidate, Moran led the mayoral competition from the outset, maintaining his lead until his triumph was declared on Tuesday with 28,451 total votes. Despite strong performances from Helen O’Donnell (Ind) and Dee Ryan (FF), Moran’s closest contenders, the margin was too great to close. O’Donnell placed second, trailing Moran by 4,712 votes after Ryan was knocked out in the 11th ballot with 18,875 votes.
In the wonderful company of family and friends, including his partner Damien and his mother Bridie, Moran shared, “It’s an emotional day for everybody.” Moran hailed this successful election as a sign of the people of Limerick’s desire for a transformation in the way local governance operates, with the aim of restoring democracy. He expressed hope that other counties will follow Limerick’s example.
Moran expressed his gratitude to the citizens of Limerick, who fervently showed their support for this new role both five years ago and now. Instead of voting along partisan lines, the electorate casted their votes based on the candidates’ platforms and qualifications, which Moran believes marks an encouraging development for Limerick and for democracy at large.
Moran extended an invitation to his fellow candidates to collaborate on a plan that promises progress for Limerick in the coming half-decade. Declaring his “three-point-plan” for Limerick as “more housing, more business, prosperity, and more health services”, Moran is set to earn an annual wage of €154,000.
With the work ahead truly beginning now, we must commence our calculations on spending and money allocation, since there are many people requesting multiple things,” he expressed.
“It is going to be an extraordinary journey for everyone in Limerick, and I am deeply appreciative that you’ve chosen and put your trust in me to handle this. A big thank you for that.”
After bowing out from the competition, an emotional Ms Ryan expressed how “tremendously proud” she was of her attainment of third place.
The ex-CEO of the Limerick Chamber of Commerce stated that Fianna Fáil had spurred her to cogitate a potential full-time foray into politics.
Insiders close to Ms Ryan conveyed that she is now earnestly contemplating a bid for a party nomination in the impending general election.
Ms Ryan acknowledged to journalists that it wasn’t the appropriate time to respond to that query, but she did express her joy in canvassing for mayoral votes and the associated exhilaration of the tally.