COUNCIL members this week paid tribute to senior executive officer of Limerick City and County Council, Christy O’Connor, who takes up a new role at Kerry County Council next month.
As senior executive officer in the Corporate Services section, he has overall responsibility for meetings of the full council and the various districts.
A native of Kilmeedy, he has a long and extensive career working in local government in Limerick, firstly with Limerick County Council and since the amalgamation, Limerick City and County Council.
He has worked in numerous departments in the local authority as senior executive officer in the Environmental Department for four years and in the Planning and Development Department for eight years, prior to taking on the role of meetings administrator/ senior executive officer in Corporate Services.
He holds an Honours Degree in Public Administration, a CIPD Certificate in Public Sector Human Resource Management and is currently undertaking a Professional Certificate in Governance with the Institute of Public Administration/ UCD.
Following a recent recruitment process, Christy was successful in gaining promotion to the position of Director of Services in Kerry County Council.
Councillors paid tribute to his contribution to the local authority at the full monthly meeting of Limerick City and County Council before he leaves to take up his new role on April 30.
Fine Gael councillor John Sheahan said: “Christy will be missed and that’s for sure. I would like to wish him the best of luck in the Kingdom.”
Fianna Fail councillor Michael Collins described Christy as “courteous, amenable and helpful”.
“Limerick will miss him,” he added.
Independent councillor Brigid Teefy also wished him well.
“He was always available, courteous and helpful,” Cllr Teefy told council members.
Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin described Christy as “approachable, friendly and helpful”.
I want to congratulate him on his new position,” he said.
Fine Gael councillor Jerome Scanlan also thanked him for his years of service.
“Christy was second to none and he is going to a good place,” Cllr Scanlan commented.
“I wish you well. Take our best wishes to the Healy Raes,” said Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan.
Party colleague Kieran O’Hanlon also paid tribute to Mr O’Connor.
“He was vey helpful and well able to manoeuvre a situation. He was a good West Limerick man.”
Council chief executive Conn Murray also thanked Christy for the contribution he made to Limerick City and County Council down the years.
“He played a vital role as administrator. He always dealt with delicate matters in a sensitive way,” Mr Murray said.
Christy then thanked council members and the executive for their kind words.
“I enjoyed my career with Limerick City and County Council. You thought me a lot and I will take that to Kerry with me. It has been a very good experience,” he concluded.
by Alan Jacques
