Cllr Gerry Hagan elected as new Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council

New Cathaoirleach vows to be strong ambassador for County Longford

Press Release: Friday 26 June 2026

The new Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan has vowed to work tirelessly to promote County Longford as well as delivering key projects over the course of his term.

The Fine Gael man was elected to the role of Cathaoirleach at the council AGM which took place last Friday, 19 June. He replaces Cllr Garry Murtagh who held the role of Cathaoirleach for the past year. Cllr Mark Casey was elected Leas Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council for the year ahead following on from Cllr Niall Gannon’s term.

Cllr Hagan was joined in the council chamber by a large gathering of friends, family and supporters from Killoe and he noted that he looked forward to promoting County Longford over the year ahead.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan said, “If I had the choice to live anywhere in the world, Longford is where I would choose. It is the place where I am happiest. I am a Killoe man first and foremost, and a Longford man through and through. I love my parish, I love my town, and I love my county and I look forward to promoting it over the next 12 months.

“We can all play our part in promoting our county. We do this by speaking positively and recognising what is good. It is often easy to be critical, but we must take a different path. As a Council, working together, we will promote Longford and make it better. I look forward to seeing a number of key projects delivered in the year ahead. I will do my very best to be a strong ambassador for Longford over the next 12 months. I will leave no stone unturned. I will work hard every day to make Longford the number one place in the country.”

Cllr Hagan also paid tribute to his late parents Rose and Jim Hagan and his late sister Fidelma whom he remembered on this special occasion.

Cllr Hagan praised the outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh for this stewardship and leadership over the past year.

Cllr Hagan was proposed for the role of Cathaoirleach by Cllr Paul Ross who praised his colleague’s strong work ethic and track record in delivering for local communities. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Turlough McGovern.

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “This is a huge honour for Cllr Hagan and his family, and it is a great opportunity to build on the notable work being undertaken in the county. Cllr Hagan has set out his key priorities for the year ahead and I can assure him that the council executive and staff will work with him to ensure that we can achieve as much as possible under his tenure.”

Cllr Mark Casey was elected the new Leas Cathaoirleach for the year ahead and this was proposed by Cllr Paul Ross and seconded by Cllr Turlough McGovern.

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh was praised for his strong work ethic over the past year and described as having represented County Longford with great pride and distinction at a local, national and international level. Cllr Murtagh thanked his fellow county councillors, council executive and staff for their assistance over the past year. Chief Executive Paddy Mahon also praised Cllr Murtagh for his excellent performance as Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council for the past 12 months.