The newly-elected Mayor of Letterkenny has said tackling traffic congestion in the town will be one of his biggest priorities in his term in office.
Councillor James Pat McDaid, the youngest councillor on Donegal County Council at just 27, was elected to the post last night.
Cllr McDaid, from Glenkeeragh, Newmills, told Donegal Daily he was delighted and humbled by his nomination by Cllr Ciaran Brogan and seconded by Cllr Liam Blaney.
But he said there were now a number of key issues facing County Donegal’s largest town as it moved forward.
“Letterkenny is a fantastic place to work, live and to do business in but he also has a number of immediate challenges.
“One of the biggest ones for me is traffic congestion and I will be looking at that during my term as mayor including the pushing of the Bonagee Link.
“Social housing is also a key issue as is the continued development of tourism in the town which were helped immensely by the two recent high profile visits we had,” he said.
The son of James and Peggy McDaid, James Pat has two brothers Barry and Mark and also two sisters Aisling and Nicola.
He added that putting on the Mayoral chain of office was a very proud moment for himself and for his family.
“I am just so delighted to have been nominated and to have been elected Mayor of Letterkenny. It’s a huge honour and I just hope I can fulfil the faith that people have put in me,” he said.
The winning captain of Glenswilly GAA Club’s only ever senior championship title in 2013, McDaid is back playing with the senior team in the Glen.
It promises to be a busy year for the young farmer who many feel is only just starting out on what could be a very high-profile political career for many years to come.