McLaughlin calls time on 40 year role

Buncrana’s town councillors have paid tribute to their outgoing Mayor, Councillor Dermot McLaughlin. As exclusively revealed in the Inish Times last week, the Fianna Fail Mayor has decided he will not seek re-election this June 5. Councillor McLaughlin is the longest serving member on the current Town Council with a career that spanned over forty years. It first began when he was co-opted on to the Council in March 1968. He lost his seat by one vote in 1999, before winning it back in 2004. He has been Mayor of Buncrana nine times. Speaking at the final meeting of the current Town Council on Wednesday night last he spoke of how the town has “changed considerably” since he first joined and expressed his view that local authorities are “very under funded.” He added that it had been “an honour” to serve as a Councillor and as Mayor in the town. He said that although the town is currently undergoing “difficult times” it had shown “great resilience” in the past and stressed that “every effort should be made” to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to create jobs. He concluded by wishing the town and its residents well. He said: “I wish the town and its people a bright and prosperous future, I hope I’ve served it the best way I could.” Mayor McLaughlin’s fellow Councillors paid tribute to him. His Fianna Fail party colleague Joe Doherty said he was “sad’ to see him stepping down. “”You gave a lifelong commitment, forty odd years is a lifetime and the knowledge you have of local authority is something you only learn from years of experience. ‘It has been a pleasure to share meetings with you. The ones you chaired have always been fair; everyone got a fair crack of the whip.” Councillor Rose Cullen, who also announced she will not seek re-election this year, said he had always been “more than helpful’ to her. Councillor Paul Bradley said Mayor McLaughlin deserved “credit.” He said: “Anyone who puts in that length of time in public service in any town deserves recognition and credit.” Councillor Peter McLaughlin also paid tribute to the Mayor and said he hoped he would “enjoy” his retirement and wished him “many happy years living in the town street in peace.” Councillor Nicholas Crossan said he only every heard positive comments about Mayor McLaughlin. He said: “I have to say, of all the Councillors I’ve served with, I can put my hand on my heart and say I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about ‘Big Dermot’ as he is colloquially known! Councillor Daren Lalor described the Mayor as “ a gentleman.” “I’ve personally enjoyed my time working alongside you. “As a Buncrana man the question is ‘Have you played your part?’ the answer is 100% yes.” Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn added that Mayor McLaughlin had displayed ‘wisdom and decency” and said it had been ‘a privilege” to work alongside him. Councillor Michael Grant described how Mayor McLaughlin had been “one of the first’ to phone him after he was co-opted on to the Council and wished him a happy retirement. Tributes were also paid to outgoing Town and Assistant County Manager Liam Kelly. He was presented with a crystal decanter and glasses by Mayor McLaughlin as a thank you for “services given to the Town Council.” Mr Kelly was acting Town Clerk in the Council from March 1969 to July 1970 and returned as Assistant County Manager in March 1996. He was wished well in his retirement. Mr Kelly said he “enjoyed” his time and had “always liked Buncrana.” He added that a new current Director of Services would be appointed to the town in the coming weeks.