'Ballyhaunis is the better for John Cribbin'

Warm tributes were paid to Cllr John Cribbin last Wednesday by fellow councillors and the Mayo County Council executive during his final Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting after 25 years in local politics.

Cllr Cribbin announced last year that he would not be standing in this year’s Local Elections, bringing an end to the Fine Gael councillor’s quarter-century career on Mayo County Council.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Murray (Sinn Fein) led the tributes to a ‘great servant to Ballyhaunis.’

“John always embodied the values of getting on with the job. Once the elections were over, we would get the work done and we were always happy to work together,” he said.

Cllr Tom Connolly (Fine Gael) said that Cllr Cribbin had been a great political representative throughout his career.

“He served his community with distinction and did huge work for the people of Ballyhaunis.

Cllr Michael Burke (FG) added that he was an exceptional colleague and praised him for his measured contributions to debates in the Council chamber.

“John could hold his own in the Chamber in a very diplomatic way. He had brilliant commitment to duty and to Mayo County Council. He always believed in flying the flag for Mayo County Council.”

Cllr Damien Ryan (Fianna Fail) said he wished Cllr Cribbin the best in his retirement from politics.

“John always embraced the spirit of cooperation and fairness. Once the political skullduggery of an election was behind us, we always worked together.”

Cllr Richard Finn (Ind) said Cllr Cribbin could take great pride in the work he had done.

“You worked hard for your area and can look back with pride for the service you gave to the area. We all have our differences around this table but we have all set them aside for the benefit of the whole area.”

Cllr Patsy O’Brien (Ind) said Cllr Cribbin was respected in farming circles as well as political.

“He is no stranger to every mart in the province, where he is well-known and respected.”

Cllr Neil Cruise (FG) said Cllr Cribbin made a massive difference to Ballyhaunis in the last 25 years.

“I was born in Ballyhaunis so I have known John since I was very young. Ballyhaunis is the better for John Cribbin the past 25 years. There is a lot of dynamics in Ballyhaunis and he has dealt with them in a sensitive and hard-working manner.

“He is about quality over quantity. I always remember his well-thought delivery and contribution to a motion we had on naming the new Destroyer ship after Corporal Patrick Bob Gallagher, it was like poetry in motion.”

“If I had one wish for John in his retirement, I want to see him on that boat when it is launched in the US,” he added.

Cllr Adrian Forkan (FF) said Cllr Cribbin’s work on the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan is often forgotten.”

“The work he done on the Centre of Excellence is not told often enough. The work he did was equally as important as what John Prenty (Connacht GAA Secretary) did.”

Head of the MD Padraig Flanagan, on behalf of all the staff of Mayo County Council whom Cllr Cribbin had worked with, thanked him for his service, commitment and level-headiness.

“You have been the same all along. The John Cribbin of 25 years ago is the same as the John Cribbin of today.” Director of Services Joanne Grehan said in addition to being a great judge of cattle, Cllr Cribbin was also a great judge of people.

“I remember your first piece of advice to me. You told me to try your best to never forget the people on the ground and that stuck with me. Mayo is a better place because of your contributions.”

Cllr Cribbin said his final MD meeting was a proud day for him and he looked back on his career with ‘pride’ and ‘nostalgia.’

“When I set out on this journey, it certainly wasn’t planned. I was invited to a meeting where Cllr Pat Higgins announced he wouldn’t be contesting the next election the following year and all present looked to me and asked if I’d consider putting my name on the ballot paper.”

“I was never politically ambitious and had no intention of ever putting my name on a ballot paper. 25 years later I have to say, I enjoyed every minute of it and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.” He expressed a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the staff of Mayo County Council.

“I was a small spoke in a team that was delivering every week for the whole county.”

He said it was a shame that politicians no longer get the same respect.

“So much has changed about politics. Unfortunately, we live in an era where the respect that politicians have isn’t the same as it was years ago. There is a small, minority group that are ready to have a shot, especially at national politicians and thankfully it hasn’t filtered down to local level.”

“I wouldn’t condone those people who are constantly knocking the system. We live in a great county and country.”

Cllr Cribbin wished his fellow councillors success in the upcoming elections and said he was ‘deeply, deeply grateful' for their tributes.