Retiring councillors bid farewell......at emotional final meeting

Six councillors are leaving Leitrim County Council this year and at the final Leitrim County Council meeting before the local elections their fellow members got to say a few words to wish them well.
Many members struggled to hold back the tears as they talked warmly about their fellow members who they said would be very much missed.
Joseph Gilhooly, who has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, paid tribute to the outgoing councillors saying it has been a challenging five years with Covid, the Ukrainian response, energy costs, inflationary costs as well as the Shass Mountain landslide and the mini tornado in Leitrim Village.
He noted significant increases in the county's population over the term as well as in the number of people working in the county as well as the increase in the revenue budget of 44%.
He also welcomed the capital investment programme for 2022 until 2027 totaling €387 million over six years which was adopted by the current councillors - the funds going towards public realm works, a new library in Dromahair, The Junction project in Ballinamore and the acquisition of the former MBNA premises, etc with more projects to come to fruition in the years ahead.
Mr Gilhooly continued that 170 social housing units have been delivered over the past five years and private social housing related grants increased from 39 grants in 2019 to 116 grants in 2023.
He said the county's road infrastructure saw a significant increase in investment; an increase of 56%.
He continued that the Active Travel programme continues to provide important projects, the council have delivered over 60 improved bridges and the winter gritting plan was also expanded significantly adding that the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Project is currently ongoing.
He said 151 houses with stand alone water treatment systems were granted planning permission and economic development projects that have been carried out include Town and Village Renewal works, remote working hubs, and Shopfront Improvement Schemes.
He said the council has delivered over 200 projects through Town and Village Renewal schemes, all in collaboration with “our very active communities we are very fortunate to have.”
He said the Local Enterprise Office continues to support small businesses and has delivered many programmes over the last five years.
Mr Gilhooly noted that recent “comprehensive marketing programmes” to promote the county have been successful, adding that the areas of sports and arts have seen increased investment.
The county library programme, he said, has had a very active five years with a new branch in Carrick-on- Shannon, improvement works in the Manorhamilton branch and the provision of an open library in Drumshanbo, and registered users have increased by over 50%.
He said a number of new personnel have joined the Leitrim County Council team, including a Heritage Officer, Biodiversity Officer, Healthy Ireland Co-ordinator, Assistant Arts Officers, Vacant Homes Officer, Town Regeneration Officer, etc.
He paid tribute to the council staff and said the “drive and commitment is second to none in this organisation.”
He said that as they come to the end of their term, “the council can be very proud of their achievements over the past five years.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr Justin Warnock paid tribute to Cllr Thomas Mulligan, who was first elected in 1985, Cllr Gerry Dolan who was first elected in 1991, Cllr Caillian Ellis who was elected in 1999, Cllr Frank Dolan who was elected in 1999, Cllr Sean McDermott in 2004 and Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire in 2014.
Cllr Padraig Fallon wished all the councillors well and said that while there were “manys a row, debate and argument, they were all for the right reasons and about trying to do the best for this county and the people in it.”
Cllr Mary Bohan said that to carry out all the actions outlined by Mr Gilhooly, it took the effort of all of the “18 councillors and staff to be able to draw down that amount of money.”
She paid “very sincere tribute to the six councillors” saying they have “made a major contribution here and it's been a pleasure to work with you.”
Full story in Leitrim Observer...