Roscommon "in better shape" due to work of council chief

Eugene Cummins, the departing chief executive of Roscommon County Council, left the county "in significantly better shape" than it was in when he took on the role seven years ago, according to councillors.

Mr Cummins retired from his position as the top local authority official in Roscommon on Friday last, September 30.

He has been succeeded by current Director of Services Shane Tiernan, who was appointed as temporary chief executive with effect from last Saturday.

Mr Cummins was given a standing ovation by councillors and local authority staff after he spoke at the end of his final monthly meeting of the council on Monday, September 26.

He paid tribute to the current and former members of the council with whom he had worked, and spoke in glowing terms about his staff colleagues in the council, which he said had "one of the finest management teams in the country."

"All of the staff are salt of the earth and they work with great commitment and dedication for the people who pay my - and their - salary, the people of Roscommon," he said.

The Ballygar native started in the chief executive role on October 1, 2015, having previously served in Limerick, Galway, Meath and Monaghan councils during his 40-year local authority career.

Mr Cummins spoke particularly warmly about the people of Roscommon. "The people of this county are nothing short of extraordinary – they are friendly beyond description. They are warm, welcoming and their hearts are huge.

"Roscommon people's passion, energy and commitment have always impressed, inspired and indeed humbled me," he said.

Mr Cummins also thanked the local media "for their fair and balanced coverage throughout my tenure."

The Cathaoirleach of the council, Tom Crosby, paid tribute to the "selfless, dignified and honourable leadership" Mr Cummins had provided.

"His loss will be keenly felt, not just among elected representatives but also by his colleagues and the entire staff of the local authority," said Cllr Crosby.

"For Eugene, I trust this is not merely an ending but the beginning of many new more chapters in his life. I know that whatever challenges or tasks Eugene takes on the future, there are groups and individuals who will benefit from his leadership and knowledge."

Each of the other councillors then took turns paying tribute to Mr Cummins, speaking about how he had left a positive legacy in towns and villages throughout Roscommon.

One of the issues with which Mr Cummins was most associated in recent times was the effort to install a flood relief pipeline at Lough Funshinagh. This project commenced but was then halted by High Court action taken by the Cork-based Friends of the Irish Environment group.

Cllr Laurence Fallon, who lives near Lough Funshinagh, said Mr Cummins' flood relief efforts had not been in vain.

"The groundwork has been laid for a solution. I think we're in a much better place than we would have been if you had not decided to take action," Cllr Fallon told him.

Cllr John Keogh recalled meeting Mr Cummins in the Athlone Springs Hotel after his appointment in 2015. "I took you around Monksland, which was in almost total darkness, without footpaths.

"During the last seven years Monksland and Bealnamulla have been transformed, illuminated, and made much safer for people living in the area. That's down to the commitment you gave," said Cllr Keogh.

Cllr John Naughten praised Mr Cummins for his work in helping to draw down funding for regeneration projects and spoke about the "endless hours" the chief executive had spent working on the Lough Funshinagh issue, saying this was appreciated by local residents.

Cllr Donal Kilduff said he was "very saddened" that the public service was losing "a great and dedicated public servant."

"The county is in significantly better shape following your tenure as CEO. I also think the local authority is a more efficient and dynamic organisation as a result of your tenure."

Referring to Lough Funshinagh, Cllr Tony Ward said: "Eugene Cummins stood with the people, and any time you stand with the people there is honour in that, regardless of the result."

Cllr Ward also spoke of Mr Cummins' support for road surfacing improvements in South Roscommon, and his foresight in ensuring that the council was in a position to buy sites for future development in Monksland.

Cllr Emer Kelly agreed that Mr Cummins had shown himself to be "an advocate for the county and the people of South Roscommon," and she said he was someone who was fair and constructive in his feedback.

The incoming temporary chief executive, Shane Tiernan, spoke to wish Mr Cummins "the best of everything" in the years ahead.

"I have been here for four years now, and the workrate of this man has never failed to amaze me," he said of his colleague.

Mr Tiernan added that he had "enormous shoes to fill" but said his own ambitions for Roscommon "align fully with Eugene's".