Meath County Council (Irish: Comhairle Chontae na Mí) is the local authority of County Meath, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment.[1] The council has 40 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire. The county town is Navan.
Meath County Council Comhairle Chontae na Mí | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Tommy Reilly, FF | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 40 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 24 May 2019 |
| Motto | |
| Tré Neart le Chéile (Irish) "Stronger Together" | |
| Meeting place | |
| County Hall, Navan | |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
History
Meath County Council commissioned a purpose-built headquarters at Railway Street in Navan in the early 20th century.[2] It then moved to more modern facilities at the new County Hall on the Dublin Road in Navan in 2017.[3]
Regional Assembly
Meath County Council has three representatives on the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly who are part of the Eastern Strategic Planning Area Committee.[4]
Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts
Meath County Council is divided into local electoral areas, defined by electoral divisions, and into municipal districts which exercise powers of the council locally.[5][6]
| Municipal District and LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Ashbourne | Ardmulchan, Donaghmore, Kentstown, Kilbrew, Rathfeigh, Skreen, Stamullin, Tara;those parts of the electoral division of Ardcath not contained in the local electoral area of Laytown — Bettystown; and those parts of the electoral division of Ratoath to the east of a line drawn along the M2 motorway | 6 |
| Kells | An Ráth Mhór, Ardagh, Baile Átha Buí, Ballinlough, Balrathboyne, Boherboy, Burry, Carrickleck, Castlekeeran, Castletown, Ceanannas Mór Rural (part), Ceanannas Mór Urban,Crossakeel, Crosskeys, Cruicetown, Domhnach Phádraig, Drumcondra, Girley, Grennanstown, Killallon, Killeagh, Kilmainham, Kilskeer, Knocklough, Loughan, Maperath, Martry, Moybolgue, Moylagh, Moynalty, Newcastle, Newtown, Nobber, Oldcastle,Posseckstown, Rathkenny, Staholmog, Stonefield, Tailtin and Trohanny | 7 |
| Laytown–Bettystown | Duleek, Grangegeeth, Julianstown, Killary, Mellifont, Painestown, Slane, St. Marys (part), Stackallan; and those parts of the electoral division of Ardcath north of a line drawn as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the boundary between the townlands of Bellewstown and Prioryland with the R152 road and then proceeding in a north-easterly direction along the R152 road to its intersection with the R150 road; then proceeding in an easterly direction along the R150 road to its intersection with the boundary between the electoral divisions of Ardcath and Duleek | 7 |
| Navan | Ardbraccan, Bective, Navan Rural and Navan Urban | 7 |
| Ratoath | Culmullin, Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, Killeen, Kilmessan, Kilmore, Rodanstown; and those parts of the electoral division of Ratoath not contained in the local electoral area of Ashbourne | 7 |
| Trim | Ardnamullan, Ballyboggan, Ballyconnell, Castlejordan, Castlerickard, Cill Bhríde,Cloghbrack, Clonmacduff, Gallow, Galtrim, Hill of Down, Innfield, Kilcooly, Kildalkey, Killaconnigan, Killyon, Laracor, Rahinstown, Rathmolyon, Summerhill, Trim Rural and Trim Urban | 6 |
Councillors
2019 seats summary
| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 12 | |
| Fine Gael | 12 | |
| Sinn Féin | 3 | |
| Aontú | 1 | |
| Labour | 1 | |
| Social Democrats | 1 | |
| Independent | 10 | |
Councillors by electoral area
This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 24 May 2019.[7]
- Notes
Co-options
| Party | Outgoing | Electoral area | Reason | Date | Co-optee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Sharon Keogan | Ashbourne | Elected for two areas; Ashbourne and Laytown-Bettystown, resigned from Ashbourne. | June 2019 | Amanda Smith | |
| Sinn Féin | Darren O'Rourke | Ashbourne | Elected to the 33rd Dáil at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Aisling Ó Néill | |
| Sinn Féin | Johnny Guirke | Kells | Elected to the 33rd Dáil at the 2020 general election | February 2020 | Michael Gallagher | |
| Independent | Sharon Keogan | Laytown-Bettystown | Elected to the 26th Seanad at the 2020 Seanad election | June 2020 | Geraldine Keogan | |
| Labour | Annie Hoey | Laytown-Bettystown | Elected to the 26th Seanad at the 2020 Seanad election | June 2020 | Elaine McGinty | |
| Fianna Fáil | Damien O'Reilly | Ratoath | Death of councillor | Sept. 2023 | Caroline O'Reilly | |