Tributes to Cllr Marcia D’Alton at Final Meeting of Carrigaline MD
Writes Leo McMahon
Glowing tributes were paid to Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Independent) who attended her last meeting as a public representative at the final meeting of Cork County Council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) which was held at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), Ringaskiddy on Monday.
Cllr D’Alton was first elected to Passage West Town Commissioners (later a Town Council) in 2004 and served two terms until its abolition and replacement by Carrigaline MD in 2014. She became a county councillor that year and served two terms on that body and several of its committees.
Making her announcement in a post on Facebook in April, Cllr D’Alton said: ‘There'd be days at the computer when I would mentally stand back, look at the array of topics coming across my desk and literally gasp. On top of what would generally be expected of a councillor, I've painted buildings, planted bulbs, swept streets, created businesses, written countless submissions, innumerable funding applications, designed signage, stayed up nights for oral hearings, helped run festivals ... With the right attitude, the creativity of this job is awesome! There have been deep and very meaningful insights into some of your lives; to have been allowed there has been an incredible privilege. For someone never interested in politics, I reluctantly gained an understanding of it that I never envisaged possible.’
She said she didn’t not want to run again but her gut screamed loud that it was time to take a pause. ‘I've given this job all I have and more and my body needs sleep. Although financially we've managed miraculously to date, the cost of living has increased so violently that I have to help take the pressure off my husband Rob. There are other reasons too. That which I have been trying to achieve in the areas dearest to my soul is by no means finished and I have no idea what life's path will bring next but serving as a public representative has been an honour’.
On behalf of officials, senior executive officer Maurice Murphy at the MD meeting, wished Marcia well in her future endeavours and said he had no doubt they would be hearing from her again. ‘I just wish to commend you for the good and hard work you have done for the community.’
Senior executive engineer attached to the area office in Carrigaline, Madeleine Healy, concurred. ‘You have represented your area fantastically. Back during Storm Babet last October, Marcia was filling the boot of her car with sandbags. You don’t leave things to others to do if you can do them yourself. Your service has been 24/7 and there’s no one who deserves more to take a step back. You have represented the area and you will be missed.’
Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) said ‘well done’ to Marcia saying that Lower Cork Harbour was a much better place as a result of her being a councillor and improving her community.
Echoing the tributes, Cllr Seamus McGrath (Fianna Fail) who served with Marcia since being on Passage West Town Council in 2007, said her round-the-clock commitment, dedication and hard work was phenomenal. He wished her every success in whatever she decided to do.
Cllr Una McCarthy (Fine Gael) concurred saying Marcia had done trojan work for the people of Passage West and beyond and had left behind a huge legacy.
Outgoing Cathaoirleach of the MD, Cllr Audrey Buckley (Fianna Fail) commended Marcia for being a great gatekeeper and praised her for all her hard work and representing all communities so well, especially on environmental issues.
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