Tributes to retiring Nenagh director
Glowing tributes have been paid to Marcus O’Connor, Tipperary County Council’s Director responsible for the Nenagh Municipal District, who is retiring.
On Tuesday night of last week members of Nenagh Chamber of Commerce gathered at The Peppermill restaurant in Kenyon Street to make a presentation to Mr O’Connor to mark the occasion.
Tributes were paid by chamber members for the key role Mr O’Connor has played in the development of the town over the years.
There was similar praise from councillors at last Thursday’s meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District.
Noting that it was Mr O’Connor’s last district meeting, Cllr Joe Hannigan told him: “Thanks for the person you are - you’re a good man, and as far as I am concerned you have been a very logical person to deal with.”
Cllr Hannigan said Mr O’Connor had during his career “done mighty work” for the whole municipal area, stretching from Ballina to Lorrha.
Cllr Hannigan described Mr O’Connor as “even-handed and fair” and someone who had a good relationship with councillors. “Nenagh and the other local areas has benefited under your direction.”
Cllr Seamus Morris said Mr O’Connor was very easy to deal with and someone “who educated an awful lot of us”. He was a great asset to Nenagh.
Cllr Phyll Bugler said Mr O’Connor had done Trojan work to make sure a new bridge would be built over the River Shannon at Ballina.
County Council Cathaoirleach, Ger Darcy, said one of the main projects Mr O’Connor was centrally involved in was the transformation of the main street in Borrisokane, while Cllr John Carroll said he was leaving “a huge legacy” behind him in the council. “You should be incredible proud when you leave the stage.”
AN HONOUR
District Cathaoirleach, Cllr John ‘Rocky’ McGrath told Mr O’Connor: “It was an honour to meet someone of your calibre and I will continue to quote you after you leave. We have been a lucky county to get someone of your ability and we appreciate it.”
District Administrator Rosemary Joyce said it had been an absolute privilege to have worked with Mr O’Connor over the years. He was a man with a hands-on approach and someone who got involved in every project. He was a great motivator of staff and an outstanding engineer.
Ronan Dodd, on behalf of the media, also paid a full tribute to Mr O’Connor on his achievements over his career.
Mr O’Connor, a native of County Cork, has been based in Nenagh with the council 1984. He said he and councillors worked on the same vision for the town of Nenagh. It was a fantastic town and they had exploited just 20 per cent of its full potential. There now needed to be a drive to achieve even more.