Nenagh MD Cllrs bid fond farewell to long-serving Director of Services

The Councillors of Nenagh Municipal District bade a fond farewell during their monthly meeting last week to Director of Services Marcus O'Connor who has retired after many years working in Tipperary County Council.

Cllr Seamus Morris said Marcus will be missed. “You were always easy to get along with,” he remarked. “It's been good working with you. You have been a great asset to Nenagh.”

Cllr Hughie McGrath said he's been working with Marcus for 20 years since first becoming a Councillor. “20 years ago, being new Councillors we had a lot of ideas, some of them unrealistic. Over the years we always knew where we stood with you! You quickly set us right! Over the years we saw you doing everything you could for Nenagh and North Tipperary.”

Cllr Michael O'Meara extended his best wishes to the outgoing Director, his wife Mary and their family. “I first met you before the Municipal District era, when we were working as Borrisokane Area Committee. I always found you friendly and helpful. On a number of occasions you were helpful to us out in the Lorrha / Rathcabbin area.”

Cllr Phyll Bugler said Marcus was one of those who had worked hard on the Shannon bridge project in Ballina-Killaloe since 2004. “In March 2025 we will see the realisation of that work when the new bridge opens. It will be a state of the art construction.”

Cllr Ger Darcy said Marcus was originally from Cork but he always seemed to be a patriotic Tipperary man as well.

Cllr John Carroll said Marcus was a very able administrator, “one of the best I have seen.”

Cllr Rocky McGrath said it had been an honour to work with someone of Marcus' calibre and ability.

Rosemary Joyce, Senior Executive Officer, said Marcus was a great motivator of staff and an outstanding engineer.

Marcus thanked everyone for their kind words. He said he's been living in Nenagh since 1984. “As well as being a Cork person I also consider myself a Nenagh man,” he remarked. “Of course you and I had our disagreements, but for every one thing we disagreed on we had ten things which we agreed on.

“Nenagh is a fantastic town and North Tipperary is a fantastic place. It's a region I love, but I think we have only exploited 20% of its potential. We can't stand still. We have to keep going.

“I won't say we have lost the battle but unfortunately some of our villages are struggling. This is a challenge which we should continue to contend with.”

The councillors and members of the executive responded with a warm round of applause.