Cllr Loftus 'did the county proud as first citizen'

Tributes were paid to Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus, following his last meeting in the role, writes Keith Bourke. 

The May meeting of the local authority was held in Cllr Loftus’ hometown of Crossmolina.

Cllr Loftus was praised for his fairness and outstanding efforts while wearing the chain.

“You were totally neutral and gave our side of the house as fair a crack of the whip as you could be expected to give,” said Fine Gael’s Michael Burke.

Cllr Damien Ryan heaped praise on Cllr Loftus for his impartiality. 

“You were an ambassador for this county on the national and international stage. Any time you spoke, you spoke with professionalism and passion about the county. You did this county proud as our first citizen,” said Cllr Ryan, who also praised his party colleague for his delivery for his native Crossmolina.

“Cathaoirleach, it’s been a pleasure to watch you in action,” said Cllr Al McDonnell, adding that Cllr Loftus had represented the county to the highest possible standard.

“You have always been very fair and that’s something I will always remember,” said Independent councillor John O’Malley. “You wore that chain with great pride and it deserves to be said that you were a great chairman."

Cllr Loftus thanked his colleagues for their kind words and paid tribute to his family for their support. He said his time as Cathaoirleach was filled with highlights but the yet-to-be-delivered Crossmolina Flood Scheme remains a disappointment.

“It’s a disappointment for me that the Government hasn’t done something about it. It’s with the Department and they don’t realise the mental anguish on business people throughout our town,” said the outgoing cathaoirleach.

Earlier, the meeting heard that the derelict property issues in Crossmolina are linked to the scheme as developers are not interested in vacant properties that are at risk of flooding.