New councillor and county engineer welcomed at Tullamore Municipal District meeting

Newly appointed Councillor Shane Murray and Senior Executive Engineer John Mitchell were both welcomed to the first meeting in 2025 of Tullamore Municipal District.

Councillor Murray is replacing Councillor Tony McCormack who has been elected to the Dail while John Mitchell will replace Senior Executive Engineer John Connelly who has has retired.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Frank Moran wished both men the best of luck and said if he could be of any assistance they could come to him at any time.

Councillor Sean O'Brien said ''we are very lucky to get such an experienced engineer as Mr Mithcell. We are delighted to have you and look forward to working with you,'' he said.

Cllr O'Brien described Shane Murray as a local man very much embedded in the community particularly with Tullamore Tidy Towns. He said the fact that Tullamore came 9th in the latest IBAL litter league was ''very much down to Shane and his volunteers. You are going to be a great addition,'' he said.

Councillor Declan Harvey said he knew Shane all his life. ''He was a neighbour of mine up that end of the town. When I moved down he followed me to the north side. He is a tremendous worker, he is from a very well known family in the town. I think he is sound and has a lot going for him,'' said Cllr Harvey. He also welcomed John Mitchell and said he was looking forward to working with him.

Councillor Aoife Masterson, thanked Mr Mitchell for all the work he has done over the last week. Describing it as a baptism of ice rather than fire, she said he and his team have done incredible work .''I am sure it's a sign of things to come and the fantastic work that lies ahead for him and his team.''

She said Cllr Shane Murray's commitment to Tullamore is ''apparent in everything he does. What's sometimes lost when people are talking about Shane is the wealth of work he has done that goes unseen. The work of the Tidy Towns obviously is very visually obvious in that we have a beautiful town.But what's also lost is the role of the Tidy Towns in bringing people together. We have all been acutely aware of the difficulties that have presented nationally with new communities coming in. Through the Tidy Towns he has done incredible work in making sure that Tullamore doesn't face the same extensive issues that other places have,'' she added.

Councillor Neil Feighery, said Cllr Murray has ''a very good track record in the work he has done in the community. '' He described him as a long time political activist with huge experience.''

Cllr Feighery said he was absent for the December meeting which was the last for retiring senior executive engineer John Connelly. He said Mr Connelly was ''an exemplary public servant who gave great public service. He brought great improvements to the town and the community, I want to wish John well.''

In relation to Mr Mitchell, Cllr Feighery said ''he has been very responsive to all of our requests and I look forward to working with him.''

Councillor Oliver Bryant welcomed John Mitchell and wished him the best of luck.''We are lucky to get someone with such experience. You were tested this weekend with the severe weather,'' he said. He also wished Councillor Murray the best of luck and described Tullamore coming 9th in the IBAL as a huge achievement.