Tributes paid to ‘gentleman’ Cllr Tom Conaghan as he bows out of politics

Councillors from the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal thanked outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Conaghan (Ind) for all that was achieved through ‘an excellent working relationship.’

This sentiment was echoed by council staff as Cllr Conaghan chaired his final meeting of the MD ahead of upcoming council elections. 

The Donegal Town man announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking reelection.

Cllr Micheál Naughton (FF) led the tributes, saying: “You have been great to work with and a lot has been achieved by working together. 

“You have been a very good councillor for Donegal Town.

“I wish you all the best in your retirement.”Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) said it had been a great term for the MD, with a lot of cooperation between the councillors. 

He told Cllr Conaghan: “Whatever you do I wish you well for the future.”

Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) added his praise and good wishes.

He said: “You have worked well as a Cathaoirleach and as a colleague. 

“My wish for you is that you would have a long, happy and healthy retirement because you deserve it.”

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind) said: “It has been a lovely decade with you. We worked well together. 

“I wish you well.”

Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) said: “You are a gentleman. Thank you for the working relationship we have had 

“over the last five years with fellow councillors, director of services and council staff.

“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes but we get through it.”

Director of Services with Donegal County Council, Garry Martin thanked all the members for a fruitful term of the MD.

“It is hard to believe that the five years have gone by so quickly,” he said. 

“I congratulate and commend the members of the district. A huge amount of great work has been done as a result of the collaboration that you have. 

“It is a credit to you to have done the work that you have done, often in the face of criticism which is undeserved. It is difficult for anyone to go into politics these days and I admire anyone who does.

“It has been a pleasure to work with you all over the last five years. We didn’t always agree but that is good. It is important to keep checks and balances.”

Mr Martin also praised staff in Donegal County Council.

“I thank all the team for the effort and energy they put in, and the fact that they are able to respond to anything night or day.”

He had a special word for fellow Donegal Town man, Cllr Tom Conaghan.

“I acknowledge the service that he has given over the years. He is often referred to in Lifford as a gentleman and that is what he is, as Chair, as a councillor, as a friend.

“That is how we will remember him.”

Reflecting on his ten years in Donegal County Council, Cllr Conaghan said: “I did what I could and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

“I was always going to do it my way.

“I did what I had to do. Maybe I didn’t get it all done. One that will always annoy me is the library in Donegal Town and I still feel that the library will happen this year.”

Cllr Conaghan said there were two major projects going on in Donegal Town at the moment that he was happy to see.

“We don’t have a small town any longer; people have to realise that,” he said. “People in wheelchairs and the elderly have to have access. 

“The one-way system is going to be very good at the end of the day, and will open up the town.”

The second project Cllr Conaghan was referring to was the Diamond.

“It is going to be state of the art,” he said. “I believe people that are not all that happy about it now will be pleased with the end result.”

The outgoing councillor also hinted that there could be a solution on the horizon for Donegal Town’s parking shortage. 

“You may have a multi-storey car park not too far away,” he said.

Cllr Conaghan told fellow council members and staff that they had been great to work with. He wished everyone well in the upcoming elections.

“We have six councillors here,” he said. “One is going, so it is up to yourselves to get back in. I wish you all the best of luck.

“Thanks for everything.”