New York Hibernians Select New Leaders

Nearly 800 delegates and friends of the Hibernians gathered in Albany for the 94th Biennial New York State Convention and elected a new slate of officers for 2007-2009.

Matt Nelligan, a native of Albany will take the helm as President. He is a teacher in the Guilderland School District and lives in Guilderland with his wife Jennifer and four year old daughter Molly.

Matt is an Irish music enthusiast and for nearly a decade has organized the largest outdoor Irish music festival in New York, which has raised more than $300,000 for a variety of charities including the Capital District Irish Center.

His family traces their roots to County Sligo in Ireland. At the age of 34, Nelligan will be the youngest State President ever elected in New York State.

Charles "Chip" McLean of Staten Island NY got the nod for Vice-President, James J. Burke of Massapequa Park NY was tapped for Treasurer and Michael J. McNabb of Auburn NY was selected for Secretary.

"The AOH must greatly increase its membership in New York State and its name recognition and identification. Currently only half of New York State counties have a Hibernian division, this is not good enough for New York State and it is not good enough for me." said the newly elected President as he announced several key appointments.

Liam McNabb of Albany NY was chosen as State Organizer, Leo Kane of Binghamton NY for Right to Life Chair and Dan Dennehy of The Bronx was chosen to head the State committee on immigration.

The President met with the newly appointed and elected Officers to shape a plan for acting on a number of policy resolutions adopted at the convention including those addressing immigration, abortion, and the pursuit of justice for the Finucane family, the victims and families of the Dublin Monaghan bombings and the search for truth about police and loyalist death squad collusion.