Cathaoirleach has 'served Mayo with distinction'
Cllr John O'Hara was praised for his professionalism and impartiality during his term as Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.
The home village of outgoing Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr John O’Hara, played host to one of his final meetings as chairperson.
Fine Gael Cllr O’Hara welcomed his fellow councillors to Bonniconlon as his one-year term as Cathaoirleach draws to a close.
Speaking on behalf of the local community, John Fox and Vincent Neary told the meeting how “proud” Bonniconlon is of Cllr O’Hara and his efforts on their behalf.
His fellow councillors were fulsome in their praise of the poll-topping public representative.
Party colleague Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said Cllr O’Hara’s endeavours have helped Bonniconlon become the “vibrant” place it is today.
He said Cllr O’Hara is a “fantastic politician” with an election record that speaks for itself.
“He’s probably a bit too popular!” joked the Killala councillor. “He has served the entire county with distinction,” added Cllr Munnelly.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Damien Ryan said Cllr O’Hara managed to juggle his role as Cathaoirleach with his day job with ESB as the county coped with the devastating fall-out from Storm Éowyn last January.
“That was a mammoth task and you did that extremely professionally,” said Cllr Ryan.
He praised Cllr O’Hara’s impartiality when presiding over meetings and the manner in which he represented Mayo at home and abroad.
“As first citizen of the county for the past 12 months, you have been an excellent ambassador for us as a county. On the local stage, the national stage and the international stage you have represented Mayo with dignity, decorum, and extreme professionalism,” stated Cllr Ryan.
Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne commended Cllr O’Hara for the “extremely fair” manner in which he dealt with all councillors.
Fine Gael Cllr Neil Cruise said the words “honesty, humility, and humanity” summed up the outgoing Cathaoirleach.
Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan thanked her colleague for his endless “kindness, help, and support".
“Your kindness showed in the results in the polls," she said, referring to Cllr O'Hara's poll-topping performance in the local elections in the Ballina Electoral Area last June.
Cllr O’Hara thanked his fellow councillors for their kind words and paid tribute to his family and the community for their unwavering support.
“You can’t be elected without people behind you," he remarked.
