Getting rid of Town Councils was 'huge mistake' says Tipperary councillor

A north Tipperary councillor has said getting rid of the Town Councils was “a huge mistake” and he's never really warmed to the idea of the Municipal District system.

Town Councils were abolished in 2014 in what the government of the day called “a cost-cutting exercise”. The move also saw a reduction in the number of councillors in each region.

Cllr Hughie McGrath told the June meeting (AGM) of Nenagh Municipal District that he was never happy with the new MD system.

“I loved being a town councillor,” he commented. “I do think it was a huge mistake to get rid of the Town Councils. But I suppose that's done and dusted and it doesn't look as if they will be brought back.”

While handing over the Chain of Office after a year as Cathaoirleach of Nenagh MD, Cllr McGrath told the meeting that he won't be contesting the local elections in 2024.

The Nenagh man said he didn't want to elaborate too much on why he was going to leave politics next year, simply to say,

“I'm getting out because it's not for me. I don't see a place for me currently in Tipperary County Council as it currently stands.”

The councillor pointed out that with the abolition of the Town Councils and the reduction in Councillor numbers there had been a diminishment in representation for the people.

Cllr McGrath joins another North Tipp councillor, Seamus Hanafin from Thurles, who has announced he won't be running in next year's local elections. Cllr Hanafin also said he believes what was done in 2014 was a backward step.

Cllr McGrath said he has enjoyed the last 20 years being a councillor, and he warmly thanked all his loyal supporters who canvassed for him, and helped him in organising Nenagh's St Patrick's Day parades and Castlefest.

Cllr Seamus Morris pointed out that the outgoing Cathaoirleach was a “man of principle and determination. The Castlefest, the St Patrick's Day Parade, the lights along the popular walk along Nenagh's N52 bypass, are all your legacies. You understood that politics is about seizing opportunities, about finding ways of getting things over the line. You also understood that being a local councillor is tackling the small tasks, whether it be getting a door fixed or a pothole filled. I agree with you: the Town Councils are a huge loss. It was a big mistake getting rid of them."

Cllr Michael O'Meara said the outgoing Chair was a pragmatic councillor and will be sorely missed.

Cllr Ger Darcy commented that Cllr McGrath ran the council meetings efficiently and fairly. “You were a worker, not a headline seeker. You were not a man to seek a whole lot of credit. I appreciate that quality in people.”

Cllr John Carroll said Cllr McGrath was easy to work with. “We often enjoyed a bit of banter,” he remarked. “We never had a cross word down the years.”

Cllr Fiona Bonfield pointed out that Cllr McGrath would be best remembered as “very much a people's person,” someone who was in his element when he was out and about in Nenagh town chatting to locals.

Incoming Cathaoirleach Rocky McGrath said Hughie was “a gentleman” and was notable for his “calmness”.

Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council Joe McGrath commented that a lot of people would be sorry to learn that Hughie was stepping away from politics after next year's local elections. “After that I hope you enjoy your retirement, and spending more time with your family and enjoying your passion for music.” The Chief Executive said Hughie is a “proud Nenagh man, and Nenagh is proud of you.”

Cllr Rocky McGrath from Newport was proposed to take up the role of Cathaoirleach by Cllr Michael O'Meara. “Rocky is a fellow Independent, and Lowry Team councillor,” remarked Cllr O'Meara, “and he is a great personal friend. He's been involved in politics for 40 years. He works quietly and efficiently for his community.” The proposal was seconded by Cllr Morris, who pointed out that thankfully Rocky had recently recovered from a bad illness and would make an excellent Chairman.

Rocky told the meeting that he's convinced that “a bit of unity and a bit of fairness will get us through any problem.” He said he has a great, undying love for Tipperary and would do his best in the Chair.

When he announced his retirement from politics Cllr Hanafin said social media has made the life of local representatives harder.

"There's a lot of negativity on social media," he remarked. "If you want to know who is shouting the loudest you go to social media, and if you want to know what is happening in your community you go to the local newspaper."

Cllr Ger Darcy told the Tribune this week that reducing the number of councillors in 2014 also negatively impacted rural areas, such as Lower Ormond, because those areas no longer had as large a political representation.