Councillor Kevin Bradley elected Mayor of Letterkenny

Councillor Kevin Bradley, Letterkenny born and bred, beamed with pride after the mayoral chain of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District was placed upon him on Tuesday.

The Independent Councillor, who was first elected at the last local elections in 2019, succeeds Councillor Donal 'Mandy' Kelly in the chain of office in his home town.

At the Letterkenny-Milford MD AGM on Tuesday, Councillor Bradley was officially elevated to the post on a proposal of Councillor John O'Donnell, seconded by Councillor Pauric McGarvey, who was later elected as the Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Bradley was joined by his wife Lorraine, brothers Declan and Paul, a large volume of family, supporters and staff from Highland Bakery.

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“It is an honour for me to be here as a proud Letterkenny man,” Councillor Bradley said. “It will be a good year ahead of us. I will have very little to do after the last Mayor.”

Councillor Bradley said there were a 'lot of interesting projects going on in the MD.

“I would like to see progress on housing,” he said. “I would like to see more new sites bought. It will be an interesting year and I am looking forward to it. Donal will be a hard act to follow – he left very little out.”

Councillor Bradley polled 993 first preference votes at the 2019 local elections in May 2019 and was elected for the first time to the Council.

A month later, his good friend and fellow newly elected councillor Manus Kelly lost his life while competing at the Donegal International Rally.

Manus's brother Donal 'Mandy' took the mantle on the Council after the resignation of his father, Donal senior (who filled the void following his son's tragic passing) in 2020.

“It is fitting for me to hand you the chain as you were a very good friend to Manus,” Councillor Donal 'Mandy' Kelly told the incoming Mayor.

Councillor O'Donnell said he was honoured to propose his fellow Independent Councillor Bradley to the position.

“I have known him for the last 25 years since the Rabbit Racing Team days,” Councillor O'Donnell said. “To get into the position of Mayor is a very fitting honour. You will be our up front person to represent us nationally and worldwide.”

Councillor Pauric McGarvey, who took the seat vacated by his uncle Ian – who was Ireland's oldest living councillor until his retirement – in February, was elected as Deputy Mayor.

“I will be delighted to support the Mayor in the year ahead,” Councillor McGarvey said. “Kevin has had a great team behind him. He has four great years done and has shown great loyalty to his role as a Councillor."