Local Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond was last night (Monday) unanimously elected to serve as An Leas Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

In just his second year on the Council, the 27 year old Ballinteer native will deputise for Labour’s Councillor Lettie McCarthy who was elected to replace Councillor Marie Baker (FG) as Cathaoirleach.

Speaking after yesterday’s AGM of the Council, Cllr. Richmond said “I am delighted to be elected to this office and I look forward to working closely with the Cathaoirleach both for our shared Ward of Glencullen-Sandyford and for the whole County.

“We face into difficult times politically and economically and I will endeavour to further push the case for improved and increased recreational facilities in our County over the next year with a focus on the proposed Samuel Beckett Civic Centre in Ballyogan.

“Those of us in Fine Gael are focused on the very testing issue of our party’s leadership but it is important that regardless of how it plays out that we come together in a concerted effort to rid this country of it’s most unpopular and ineffective Government.”