Warm tributes paid to one of the enduring figures in politics

Warm tributes paid to one of the enduring figures in politics

18 December 2013

GLOWING tributes have been paid to one of the district’s longest serving SDLP councillors who has retired from Down Council.

Councillor Eamonn O”Neill, who was elected in 1977 and fought nine local government elections, took part in his final council meeting on Monday night. Afterwards, he was joined by his wife Tona and family and past and present councillors for a dinner at Down Council’s headquarters to mark his retirement from front line politics.

Mr. O’Neill, who has been succeeded by Laura Devlin, was a former history teacher at St. Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan and during those nine council elections he topped the poll in the Newcastle area on a number of occasions.

He has twice served as council chairman and was also a member of the Assembly. Elected in 1998, he chaired the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.

The tributes to Mr. O’Neill were led at Monday night’s meeting by the current council chairman, Maria McCarthy. She thanked the retiring councillor for his “sound, able and proficient representation” of the people of the district since his election 36 years ago.

Councillor McCarthy said Mr. O’Neill had been instrumental in a great deal of positive developments for the people of the district, chairing the committee which oversaw the multi-million pound overhaul of Newcastle promenade and the town’s Main Street. She also highlighted the lead role he played as the founder of Castlewellan Regeneration.

“I want to pay tribute to your excellent work in social housing, a subject very dear to your heart. You played a pivotal role in developing a unique policy for rural dwellers and the hardships they suffered. There is no doubt you found your niche delivering for people,” the council chairman continued.

Councillor Dermot Curran (SDLP) praised Mr. O’Neill’s “exceptional leadership and vision” and said there was “much to be admired” during his political career spanning almost four decades.

“Eamonn has clearly demonstrated his dedication to the people of the district, he has put in the long hours to help others. He was my friend and a gentleman and will be sadly missed,” added Councillor Curran.

Councillor Stephen Burns (Sinn Fein) congratulated Mr. O’Neill on his service to the district’s ratepayers, many of whom he said had “benefited from his diligence on their behalf.” He described the retiring councillor as a “formidable foe” in the debating chamber and a stickler for the rules which governed debate.

DUP councillor William Dick acknowledged Mr. O’Neill’s “dedication and commitment” to Down Council and the people of Castlewellan in particular. He said he represented people with “great diligence” and that the DUP had often borne the brunt of the SDLP man’s robust debating style.

“We took his comments on the chain as part and parcel of political debate, but on many issues all the parties worked together for the good of the entire community over the years.

While people may have read headlines in the press about our disagreements, there were many more issues we worked on and delivered together,” he added.

Councillor Dessie Patterson (UUP) said it was his pleasure to work alongside Mr. O’Neill for the past eight years and revealed that many in the unionist community across the Newcastle electoral area had benefited from the SDLP councillor’s help, adding: “Eamonn was a councillor who worked for everyone.”

Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke said Mr. O’Neill had served Down Council and South Down with “great distinction and professionalism” and a politician who represented the needs of his constituents with “tremendous ability and refreshing candour.”

Independent councillor Terry Andrews said Mr. O’Neill’s retirement from front line politics “marked the end of an era.”

Describing the retiring councillor as the “perfect gentleman” and a politician “who was never afraid to speak his mind,” he said Mr. O’Neill can look back on his time with Down Council with tremendous pride.