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Glowing tributes paid to councillor John Moran at his last ever municipal district meeting

By
Siun Lennon
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It was an emotional day at Laois County Council offices today as Cathaoirleach of Portlarington/Graiguecullen John Moran sat in the head seat for his last ever district meeting.

Last November, we revealed that the Fine Gael councillor Moran is not seeking re-election this year.

It bring sto an end a 28-year political career that began in 1991 when he was successful in the election for the then Local Electoral Area of Luggacurren.

After Moran was first elected in 1991, he topped the poll in Luggacurran in 1999 and 2004 before finishing second in 2009.

John ran in the General Election in 2011 as Charlie Flanagan’s running mate and received over 4,000 votes.

Today, as it is the last municipal district meeting for the Portarlington/Graiguecullen area, it is the last time John will ever attend a district meeting.

Each councillor present expressed their sincere thanks to John, labeling him everything from ‘a gentleman’ to ‘a lovable rogue’.

Starting off the tributes was cllr Aidan Mullins. “Wherever the future takes you, I know you’re a gentleman. You’ve been a gentleman to me, ever since the first day I walked in here.

“You were the first one who approached me and made me feel welcome. I knew I could talk to you about anything I ever needed to talk about,” said cllr Mullins.

Second up was cllr Paschal McEvoy. “I have to say, you are an absolute gentleman and I wish you the best of luck for whatever you decide to do afterwards.

Cllr Ben Brennan joyfully said, “You are a rogue. I’ve worked with you for 10 years John and you’re an absolute gentleman to work with. Whoever takes your place, they have big shoes to fill.”

Adding to this, cllr Tom Mulhall said, “John you’re a Party colleague of mine and I’ve enjoyed working with you for the past 10 years. I agree to a certain extent with cllr Brennan that you’re a bit of a rogue, but you’re a likeable rogue.”

Cllr Padraig Fleming concluded, “You’re always easy, there’s no pressure. You’re a very kind man as well.”

John is heavily involved in the National Ploughing Association and says he will continue with them.

Check out Alf Harvey’s archive of John Moran’s political years down below.

In good company: Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan TD; Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director, and Cllr John Moran Exhibition area supervisor on site at Ratheniska, Co. Laois for the launch of the national ploughing championships in 2015
In again: John Moran iis raised high after his election to Laois County Council in
2004
Stepping it out: Cathaoirlech of Laois County Council John Moran and Laois Rose Stephanie Farrell have a waltz to the music from the Portlaoise Accordian Band at the official opening of the Portlaoise Civic Plaza in 2008
Chain gang: John Moran with Mayor of Portlaoise Rotimi Adebari and Joe Melia, chairman Mountmellick Town Council at the official opening of the Portlaoise Civic Plaza in 2008
Calling the shots: Exhibition co-ordinator John Moran at the National Ploughing Championahips at Athy in 2010.
Poll toppers; Sitting Fine Gael Councillors and Luggacurren councillors James Daly and John Moran after their election at the Portlaoise Count Centre in 2009
Family man: Cllr John Moran (Fine Gael) celebrates with family and friends at Portlaoise Count Centre in 2009
Proud as punch: Fine Gael’s Cllr John Moran is congratulated by his son Mark at Portlaoise Count Centre in 2009
Old stock: John Moran with his Fine Gael council colleague  Marty Phelan at the Portlaoise Lions Club, Laois Branch National Council for the Blind Dance at the Montague Hotel in 2004
Looking good: Models Aisling Byrne and Laura O’Shea with Cllr John Moran, Exhibition co-ordinator at Cardenton, Athy, for the launch of the National Championships in 2011
Party colleagues: Councillors John Moran and James Deegan who were both returned for Fine gael celebrate with Deputy Olwyn Enright in 2004
Man of the moment: John Moran (Fine Gael) elected at the Laois Count Centre in 2014
On the job: Cllr John Moran and local resident Aishling Whelan looking for the rare weed beside the collapsed wall at Ballykilleen Bridge in Killeshin in 2010
Generation game: Exhibition supervisor John Moran and his grandson John Moran busy at Ratheniska, Co Laois in preparation for the National Ploughing Championships in 2013

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