RETIRING CO COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE LEAVES AN IMPRESSIVE LEGACY

The retirement of Eamonn O’Sullivan as Chief Executive of Monaghan Co Council led to tributes to his achievements during a seven-year tenure in the post when the news was conveyed to the members of the Council at their December meeting, held at the Sliabh Beagh Hotel in Knockatallon on Monday last. Mr O’Sullivan’s contribution to the development of a number of major capital developments in the county, some completed and some heading for realisation, and his establishment of a recently newlook and gender-balanced senior management team were noted, as were his personal characteristics of affability and approachability.

Mr O’Sullivan’s decision to retire for health reasons on December 16 was confirmed to the meeting by the Deputy Chief Executive Patricia Monahan. Ms Monahan told the meeting: “When Eamonn first came to Monaghan as Chief Executive almost seven years ago, he brought with him an abundance of experience, having worked in a number of other local authorities, including Wicklow, Sligo and Kildare.

From the beginning, his enthusiasm and energy were hallmarks of his approach to the job. “He often remarked on his eagerness to leave Wicklow very early on the Monday mornings, in all weathers, keen to get to Monaghan and to get on with the job. “Eamonn took to his new role with a passion, and rapidly absorbed a wealth of information about the county, the Council’s operations and the staff. He very soon gained a reputation as a ‘people person’ and often amazed us all with his ability to retain and later recall names and details from what were sometimes only the briefest of meetings or conversations.

The elected members will attest to the way in which he was accessible to you and listened and took on board the issues that you raised. “During Eamonn’s time in Monaghan there were many highlights, including Local Authority of the Year 2017 at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local…