Peace pipe

Castlebar councillors smoke peace pipe

Castlebar
Áine Ryan

WHILE there wasn’t a whiff of marijuana in Marsh House for last Wednesday’s mayoral elections, there were certainly rose-scented moments during which the town councillors’ love-in seemed more Woodstock than Castlebar.
Father of the house, Cllr Johnny Mee, may not have donned his kaftan but he certainly encapsulated the John Lennon and Yoko Ono atmosphere at the end of the night.
“For someone who has been on this Council for 36 years and experienced many’s the tempestuous election, this has been a real love-in.”
He was right. Even when the two black sheep –  Cllrs Kilcoyne and Campbell – made noises to upset the apple tart (as Bertie might say) they were treated like veritable prodigal sons. The newly-elected mayor nearly tripped over his chain to assure ‘the youngest member of the chamber’ that he may very well one day be honoured as Castlebar’s first citizen.
Not to be outdone, Deputy Mayor Blackie Gavin also proffered the same possible prize. Of course, nothing was written down. No contract was signed. After all – as was proven in Westport that night and in Ballina the following night  – pesky pieces of paper have a habit of being torn up if the political heat is turned up. Ask Cllrs Frances McAndrew or Cllr Myles Staunton. 
Moreover, outgoing Mayor Eugene McCormack was also served with an elixir of white-doved sentiments.
“I thank you in particular for your courtesy even when I was trying your patience,” waxed Cllr Kilcoyne. All that was missing was a two-fingered peace sign.
A cross-party chorus sang of Mayor McCormack’s ‘safe pair of hands’, his ‘sincerity and hard work’, how ‘people out there were very impressed’ by his professionalism and well-researched addresses.
“The chain was worn very lightly on your shoulders,” said Cllr Sean Bourke.
Hopefully, it won’t feel quite as light for Kevin Guthrie who was warned by his fellow councillors that Deputy Gavin’s unbridled enthusiasm for officiating at events could lead, not only to the chain’s disappearance, but to the mayor’s too!