Tributes paid to Tipperary County Council's retiring Director of Roads

Tributes were paid at Tipperary County Council’s monthly meeting to its retiring Director of Roads Services Marcus O’Connor.

The Council’s Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy led the tributes. He thanked Mr O’Connor for his contribution to both North

Tipperary County Council and for the past ten years as Director of Roads for the unified Tipperary County Council.

“He put his experience and expertise to good use in a whole load of different areas and directions and I wish him well in retirement.”

In a colourful tribute, Fine Gael Cllr Michael Fitzgerald said he found Mr O'Connor to be as “tough as nails” and he had huge respect for him. He praised the fact Mr O’Connor was just as tough with Government and Transport Infrastructure Ireland officials in arguing Tipperary County Council’s case as with councillors.

Tipperary County Council CEO Joe MacGrath said Mr O’Connor was absolutely professional in all aspects of his work and very supportive also on teams and of his colleagues.

“He didn’t confine himself to his own directorate. He put his shoulder to the wheel if he saw an issue in any area. If he believed something was the right thing to do, he stuck with it even if it wasn’t popular.

Mr McGrath praised Mr O’Connor’s sense of humour and “extraordinary ability” to put things in perspective and declared there was no corner of county Tipperary that hasn’t benefited from his work.

Mr O'Connor told the meeting he had enjoyed the 24 years he spent working with Tipperary’s councillors.

“I think we achieved quite a bit.

“We might have had many arguments but we focused on priorities and got a good few (projects) started and completed,” he said.