Goodbye to Moyle Council

Independent Cllr Randal McDonnell said it had been a “privilege” to be a councillor for 29 years and ten months exactly and added that the staff had been “marvellous”.

UUP Cllr Joan Baird also paid tribute to the Council staff and to the Chief Executive Richard Lewis, wishing him well in his retirement.

UUP Cllr William Graham jokingly thanked the staff “for putting up with me for the last 18 years”. He wished those who are retiring well for the future and told the members who are going forward into the new Causeway Coast and Glens Council, “I will watch you with interest”.

Cllr Robert McIlroy praised the “conscientious” staff and thanked the ratepayers of Moyle for supporting the Council even when they were “upset by a hike in their rates”.

Cllr Margaret Anne McKillop said that her time in Moyle hadn’t been “an easy ride” but she thanked councillors such as Randal McDonnell and Padraig McShane for their help.

Clllr Catherine McCambridge said it had been a “privilege” to be part of Moyle Council for 14 years. She thanked everyone associated with Council and wished those who were not moving on to the new Council “a long and happy retirement”.

Cllr Padraig McShane said that the Chief Executive Richard Lewis had been a “gem to work with” and added that it had been an “exceptional joy” to work in the Council arena.

Cllr Seamus Blaney said he had enjoyed his time in Moyle Council and jokingly added that he couldn’t understand how people had been “silly enough to vote for me for the past 22 years”.

Cllr Cara McShane said that the majority of councillors in Moyle had “never been blinded by sectarian,inequalty or bitterness” and said that Moyle could be “proud of its track record”.

Chief Executive Richard Lewis, who is retiring from his post, thanked everyone for their kind comments towards himself and the Council staff.