Councillor Tom Ruddle has been elected as Príomh Chomhairleoir for the 2026/27 municipal year at the Annual General Meeting of the full Limerick City and County Council held today (30 June) in the Council Chamber in Dooradoyle.
Councillor Ruddle succeeds Councillor Catherine Slattery, who served as Príomh Chomhairleoir for the past twelve months and formally handed over the Chain of Office during the meeting.
Councillor Ruddle, who represents the Newcastle West Municipal District, becomes only the third person to hold the title of Príomh Chomhairleoir since the role was established under the 2024 local government reforms, which introduced Ireland’s first directly elected mayor in Limerick.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Cllr Ruddle’s wife Marie, their children Andrew and Bláithnaid, council colleagues and other supporters, while Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport and Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan was among the well wishers in the chamber.
The Príomh Chomhairleoir chairs meetings of the full Council and acts as the presiding member and representative of the elected Council. The role forms part of a revised governance structure in which many of the executive and ceremonial functions previously associated with the Cathaoirleach were reassigned following the introduction of the Directly Elected Mayor.
The position was created as part of the new governance arrangements introduced after the election of Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, in June 2024.
Mayor John Moran congratulated Councillor Ruddle on his election, saying:
"I would like to congratulate Tom on his election as Príomh Chomhairleoir. Since the introduction of the Directly Elected Mayor model and my election in 2024, the role of Príomh Chomhairleoir has become a vital part of our new system of local government in Limerick, as the representative of the legislative arm of our new structure of government. I look forward to working even more closely with Tom over the next twelve months as we continue to deliver on our shared ambitions for a stronger and more vibrant Limerick."
Speaking following his election, Councillor Ruddle said:
"To be elected by my fellow councillors as Príomh Chomhairleoir is a tremendous honour and one that I accept with great pride and humility. I am deeply conscious of the responsibility that comes with this role, and I look forward to working constructively with all elected members, Mayor John Moran, the Director General and Council staff over the coming year.
"As someone who has always believed in community, participation and public service, I want to ensure that the voice of every councillor and every community across Limerick city and county is heard. The role of Príomh Chomhairleoir continues to evolve and develop, and I am committed to helping strengthen its contribution to local democracy and effective governance."
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly thanked Councillor Slattery for her service and welcomed Councillor Ruddle to the role, saying:
"I would like to sincerely thank Councillor Catherine Slattery for her commitment and leadership during her term as Príomh Chomhairleoir. She has represented the elected Council with distinction and, like Cllr Dan McSweeney before her, has helped further develop this new office during its formative period.
"I look forward to working closely with Councillor Tom Ruddle over the coming year. As Limerick's governance structures continue to mature and evolve, there is significant opportunity for the role of Príomh Chomhairleoir to take on an increasingly substantial contribution in supporting the work of the elected Council."
Councillor Adam Teskey was elected as Leas-Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council having also been elected as Cathaoirleach of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District at their annual meeting earlier today.
Annual meetings were held across all Limerick's Municipal Districts in recent weeks, resulting in the following appointments:
Metropolitan District of Limerick
- Cathaoirleach: Councillor Joe Pond
- Leas-Chathaoirleach: Councillor Catherine Slattery
Newcastle West Municipal District
- Cathaoirleach: Councillor Liam Galvin
- Leas-Chathaoirleach: Councillor John Sheahan
Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District
- Cathaoirleach: Councillor Tommy O'Sullivan
- Leas-Chathaoirleach: Councillor Noreen Stokes
Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District
- Cathaoirleach: Councillor Adam Teskey
- Leas-Chathaoirleach: Councillor Stephen Keary