Pádraig ‘The Peter Pan’ Mayor can’t let go of chain of office
Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley
Presidents of the United States of America continue to be called President – or Mr President (for they have always possessed penises) – after they leave the White House.
So President Barack Obama will always be President or Mr President, even after Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump take up office.
They retain their titles for life.
God’s top representatives on earth aren’t in the habit of resigning, but Pope Benedict, who stepped aside to allow Pope Francis into the Vatican hot-seat, is now referred to as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Not one to miss a trick, self-publicist, Galway City Councillor Padraig Conneely, has taken a leaf out of the Pope and US President’s book.
The bould Pádraig was twice mayor of Galway City – in 2008-2009, and again in 2013-2014.
Padraig enjoyed his time as First Citizen so much he’s not prepared to let it go, so he’s come up with a clever ruse that gives the impression he’s still as important as a mayor, without actually having the gravitas of the position.
Displaying more neck than a tower of giraffes, Councillor Conneely is now referring to himself as ‘Mayor Emeritus – Galway City’, lest anyone ever forget his two years at the helm.
We kid you not.
The Fine Gael egotist has even printed business cards, with his new makey-uppy title on it: “Cllr. Padraig Conneely. Mayor Emeritus – Galway City” and his address, (Gleann Nóinín, College Road, should you ever wish to visit and pay homage to the Mayor Emeritus).
The Brits bestow OBEs and MBEs on the great and the good; in Ireland, our politicians are so impressed with themselves, they invent titles to exaggerate their greatness.
Rumours abound about Joe’s job
City Hall is a hotbed of rumour, worse than any city hairdresser salon. So when one of the head-honchos decides to call it a day, the rumour mill cranks into overdrive.
And so it was last week when long-serving Director of Services, Joe O’Neill, announced his retirement.
O’Neill, the ‘Jes’ boy from Glenard in Salthill, who has dedicated 40 years of his life to the local authority, and even served for three years as City Manager, is leaving his post by the yearend.
And while many around the corridors of power are going to miss the affable director’s catchphrase – “Why would you want to do that?” – most have moved on to wondering who is going to fill his shoes.
To read Dara’s column in full, please see this week’s Galway City Tribune.