Tributes as Mayo councillor brings curtain down on 25-year political career

AFTER a 25-year political career, Ballyhaunis Councillor John Cribbin has attended his final municipal district meeting.

The Fine Gael representative will retire at this June's local elections having served his community with distinction.

Entry into public life for a man steeped in the cattle trade was unplanned.

One morning he went out and bought a new cattle wagon. That evening he attended a meeting and when the sitting councillor announced they weren't running for election again, 'everyone in the room looked at me'.

“I had no intention of ever putting my name on a ballot paper,” he admitted at yesterday's district meeting. But 25 years on and he has enjoyed every minute and would do it all over again. He looked back, he said, with pride and nostalgia.

Fellow councillors and officials paid warm tribute to their colleague, led by cathaoirleach Councillor Gerry Murray who was elected on the same day back in 1999.

As councillors, they worked together to deliver the maximum they could for the people they represent and John Cribbin always embodied those values, he said.

He was always a consensus politician and Councillor Murray thanked him for his 25 years service.

John Cribbin was someone you could rely on for sound advice, said Councillor Tom Connolly. He did trojan work and served his area with distinction.

'An exceptional politician and total gentleman' is how Councillor Michael Burke summed up his colleague.

John Cribbin was a man who could hold on very firm in a diplomatic way in a debate and he had looked after his area very well.

He had embraced the spirit of cooperation and fairness, noted Councillor Damien Ryan, and always gave contributions that were very measured and balanced.

Agriculture and football were his keen interests and he would be pursuing both diligently now, he predicted.

A safe pair of hands was the description Councillor Patsy O'Brien gave of his colleague, while his determination was recalled by Councillor Neil Cruise who said Ballyhaunis is all the better because of his work.

Councillor Adrian Forkan commented on the role Councillor Cribbin had played in the development of the centre of excellence in Bekan, saying the work he put into it probably isn't recognised enough.

Padraic Flanagan, district head, and Joanne Grehan, director of services, extended words of thanks on behalf of the council staff for his commitment and courtesy and work over the years.

Councillor Cribbin thanked all the councillors and staff that he worked with, past and present, noting he was a member of a huge team that delivers services every day of the week throughout the county.

So much has changed about politics, he commented, and the respect is not the same as it was years ago, especially at national level where a minority are always ready to have a shot.