East Mayo councillor steps down from county council

SWINFORD-BASED Councillor Michael Smyth has announced his early retirement from Mayo County Council.

He informed elected colleagues of his decision when he joined the local authority's monthly meeting online today (Monday).

The Fianna Fáil member, who was first elected nine years ago, cited some health challenges and personal attacks, arising from a controversial biogas project in which he is involved and that have seen his family targeted, as being behind his decision to call it a day.

Councillor Smyth said having consulted with his family, colleagues and friends he intended retiring in the coming few days.

He explained that he has had a couple of challenges around his health, which he needs to deal with.

He has also been involved in a bioenergy project locally, which has become somewhat controversial for the council and himself, and he has been the subject of personal attacks.

He had no difficulty with that and people were entitled to their opinions, he said. However, he took umbrage when someone tried to target his children.

He felt it best to step aside and deal with the issues which are causing an issue for him and his family.

On a personal level, he thanked the council executive and colleagues for their help, support, comradeship and friendship.

Councillor Smyth said politics is a challenging place. To him it was a vocation and the renumeration involved never meets the time, effort and dedication of his colleagues.

He knew the long hours they put in and the challenges they face. What keeps you going in this arena is every now and then you get a clap on the back, he stated.

He was moving on but would still be there to support the person who replaces him.

Colleagues expressed regret and shock at the loss of a councillor described as a decent, articulate, intelligent man, 'a safe pair of hands' who was fair and honourable and who had quietly done a lot of work in the Swinford area.

Councillor Damien Ryan summed up their feelings when he said there is no place in this county or country for personal attacks. “That should be beyond any politics.”

Michael Smyth, he said, was making his decision for the right reasons - health and family come first, and everything else comes after that.