Tributes paid to master tactician and 'the Paul Newman of Longford politics'

Tributes were paid to three councillors who are retiring at the May meeting of Longford County Council.

Cllrs John Browne (FG), Gerry Warnock (Ind) and PJ Reilly (FF) are departing the council chamber.

Cllr Browne told the meeting that “I have reached the end of the line.”

“Longford County Council is a modern, highly efficient organisation. I want to thank my fellow elected members,” he added.

His fellow FG councillor Paul Ross praised Cllr Browne’s “forensic mind.”

“I rang John regularly. He was a great man to canvass,” he stated.

Cllr Paraic Brady also paid tribute to his party colleague. “John was very loyal to us on this side of the house,” he stated.

Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Butler paid tribute “to my neighbour.”

“John Browne is a master tactician of the body politic,” he stated, before joking, “I am glad he is not running again!”

Cllr Garry Murtagh described his colleague as being “the Paul Newman of Longford politics.”

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“John is like Cool Hand Luke. He is a man of rationality and sense,” he added.

Cllr Gerry Warnock is also moving on from the council chamber, although he has set his sights on the Dáil.

“It was a tremendous honour to follow the noble tradition of my father Christy,” he told the meeting.

“Having been co-opted to the council, it was a huge personal achievement for me to be elected in the 2014 election.

“Thankfully, I was re-elected in 2019. It was the honour of my life to be a member of the council. It was a huge validation and I always took it seriously,” he stated.

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“It was a privilege to work with all of the councillors and I genuinely hope that all of you are elected,” he added.

Cllr Warnock went on to thank the management of the council. “The management was always constructive. There is good collaboration between the management and elected representatives,” he commented.

He also mentioned his “unique dual role” as a staff member of the council and an elected representative.

“I have worked with some of the staff for 23 years. I also want to thank my family, my wife Rachel and children. They sometimes had mad stuff to contend with, which comes with being an elected representative,” he stated.

“Finally, I want to thank the people of Longford who supported me,” he added.

“I also want to wish PJ Reilly the best of luck in his recovery from illness. He is a gentleman. I am sure he will come through swinging,” he commented.

Cllr Brady described Cllr Warnock as “a good friend.”

Cllr Paul Ross said that Cllr Warnock would be a “huge loss” to the council. “He always put great research into his motions,” he said.

A number of councillors wished Cllr PJ Reilly well. Cllr Mick Cahill recalled that he was elected to the council on the same day as his party colleague in 2004.

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Cllr Padraic Brady also paid tribute to PJ. “When the bypass eventually comes to Granard, no doubt there will be a roundabout named in honour of PJ,” he stated.

Cllr Seamus Butler also paid tribute to PJ. “PJ is a tremendous loss to the council. He is a gentleman. I hope he recovers,” he stated.

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Cathaoirleach Colm Murray also wished the retiring councillors well. In his last meeting as chair, he said, “I wish to thank all of the members. I also wish to thank the staff and management for their cooperation. I also want to thank Garry (Murtagh) as Leas Cathaoirleach.”

Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon also paid tribute to the departing councillors.

“John, Gerry and PJ made a lasting contribution to the council. Hopefully, PJ will recover,” he stated.

A number of members also paid tribute to outgoing Cathaoirleach Murray. According to Cllr Murtagh, “Colm has raised the bar” in his role.

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