‘People want to see progress, and to feel heard’ - Labour’s new Wicklow cathaoirleach sets out agenda

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Labour councillor Paul O’Brien emphasised the power of cross-party collaboration and the need for people to feel heard as he accepted his election as cathaoirleach at the Wicklow Municipal District AGM.

The meeting, which brought together the district’s six councillors, served as a handover of leadership and a moment to take stock of a year marked by collaboration, community investment, and significant planning challenges.

Outgoing Fine Gael cathaoirleach Graham Richmond said he had moved to Wicklow because it was “the best place to raise my family”, and that his time as cathaoirleach had only strengthened his belief in the district’s potential.

He pointed to visible progress across Wicklow, including improvements at the Abbey Grounds, the development of the new pump track, and the advancement of the Rocky Road scheme. These projects, he said, were tangible reminders that local government “can and does deliver” when councillors work together.

Cathaoirleach Paul O’Brien alongside elected representatives and staff of the Wicklow Municipal District. © Wicklow County Council

Cllr Richmond acknowledged that the past year had not been without difficulty. The call for sites process, which required councillors to assess potential land for development, had been particularly demanding.

“We’re never going to always agree,” he said. “But it’s important to maintain that collaborative approach to keep things moving. It’s easy to get bogged down in negativity, but we can only do our jobs by working together.”

He also thanked each councillor individually and the local council staff and engineers, noting the unique contributions they had made to the district’s progress.

In a lighter moment, he joked that he would not miss “having to check if the chain is in the car”, referring to the ceremonial chain of office.

Following Cllr Richmond’s address, councillors offered their own reflections.

Cllr Shane Langrell praised the strong working relationship among the six members, saying they had “worked well together” despite the pressures of the past year.

Cllr O’Brien commended him for being “thrown in the deep end” following Cllr Gail Dunne’s period of ill health, adding that Cllr Richmond had “set the bar very high”.

Cllr John Snell, marking his 18th year as a councillor, noted with humour that AGMs were often the only time he found himself “on the wrong side of the fence”, but emphasised that democracy required people to put themselves forward even when the outcome was uncertain.

Cllr O’Brien was formally nominated for cathaoirleach by Cllr Dunne and seconded by Cllr Langrell.

In his acceptance speech, he expressed his “honour and privilege” at being chosen to serve as cathaoirleach, thanking his colleagues for their confidence.

He paid tribute to Cllr Richmond, saying his predecessor had shown “dedication, fairness, and a genuine commitment to the district”, and that he intended to build on the momentum established over the past year.

Cllr O’Brien placed strong emphasis on collaboration, describing it as the foundation of effective local government.

“The success of local government is based entirely on people working well together,” he said. “We may come from different parties and hold different views, but our shared responsibility is to the people of Wicklow. That must always come first.”

He acknowledged that the year ahead would bring challenges, particularly in relation to the local area plan and the ongoing call for sites, but said he was confident that the district could navigate these issues through open dialogue and collective problem-solving.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust, noting that residents expect transparency, responsiveness, and a willingness to listen.

“People want to see progress, but they also want to feel heard,” he said. “My commitment as cathaoirleach is to ensure that our work reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.

“We must continue to deliver projects that enhance quality of life, support families, and strengthen Wicklow’s identity as a vibrant and welcoming place to live.”

Cllr O’Brien concluded by thanking his family and friends for their support, acknowledging the personal demands of public service.

“None of us do this alone,” he said. “Behind every councillor is a network of people who make sacrifices so we can serve. I am deeply grateful for that support.”

Cllr Langrell from Fine Gael was nominated by Cllr Richmond and seconded by Cllr Danny Alvey, for the position of leas-cathaoirleach, while Cllr Snell nominated himself, seconded by Cllr O’Brien.

Cllr Langrell was then elected, giving his party a clean sweep of leas-cathaoirleach roles across the county council and the four districts that have so far staged their 2026 elections.

As well as Wicklow, Fine Gael councillors now hold the role in Bray (Melanie Corrigan), Arklow (Sylvester Bourke) and Baltinglass (Pat Mahon), all districts that elected independent councillors as their chairs (Malachaí Duddy, Peir Leonard and Jason Mulhall).

In the county council Fine Gael leas-cathaoirleach Avril Cronin is joined at the top table by the Social Democrats’s first county council chair, Caroline Winstanley.

The Greystones MD AGM is to take place on Tuesday, June 30.