A special event has taken place to mark Meath County Councillor Brian Fitzgerald's 40 years of public service.
Since 1985, the Meath native has been re-elected to the council seven times and has served as Cathaoirleach on three occasions.
The 78-year-old was first elected to the then Dunshaughlin Local Electoral Area (now covered by the Ratoath Municipal District) 40 years ago, taking the seat of his uncle Jack Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald served as a Labour Party TD for the Meath constituency from 1992 to 1997, and as an independent member of Meath County Council since 1999.
He was previously a member of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, and the North Eastern Health Board for 13 years.
Cllr Fitzgerald was part of the delegation, along with Kevin Stewart and the late Joe Horan, responsible for setting up the twinning of Co Meath with the town of Cary in the US state of North Carolina.
The relationship went from strength to strength in the years that followed, with both local authorities sharing ideas and approaches to county development and planning.
Speaking during the event to mark Cllr Fitzgerald's years of public service, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sharon Tolan said: "Thank you to Councillor Fitzgerald for 40 fantastic years, whose tireless campaigning and championing of vital projects to improve people's lives in Meath continues to this day."
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the council, Kieran Kehoe said: "On behalf of Meath County Council, I would just like to say congratulations on 40 brilliant years and thank you for all your hard work, tremendous service, and for making Meath a better place."
Cllr Fitzgerald then said: "During my 40 years, I have worked with many councillors and officials and every single one of them had one priority and that was to make Meath better. I am so proud today to celebrate 40 years on this Council."
Meanwhile, at the council's AGM, Fianna Fáil Councillor Wayne Harding was elected as the Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council. His party colleague Councillor Caroline O'Reilly was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach.
In Co Cavan, Fianna Fáil's John Paul Feeley was elected as council Cathaoirleach. Councillor Winston Bennett of Fine Gael will serve as the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Cavan County Council for the year ahead.
