There were no Disclosures of Conflict of Interest declared by Members.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to suspend standing orders, and thereafter suspend the meeting for 15 minutes as a mark of respect for the late Cllr. Anthony Waldron (RIP).

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice paid tribute to the late Cllr. Anthony Waldron (RIP), noting his contribution to Ballintubber, Castlerea and all of County Roscommon.  He remarked that Cllr. Waldron was a great advocate for tourism in the county, and acknowledged his great work in the establishment of the Credit Union in Castlerea.  The Cathaoirleach acknowledged Cllr. Waldrons immense contribution to his community and noted that he will be missed greatly by all. The Cathaoirleach also remembered the late Cllr. John Naughten (RIP) in his comments.

All of the members paid tribute to the late Cllr. Waldron (RIP) and noted his passion for tourism for Roscommon and his dedication to the Suck Valley Way Conference.  He was also a great supporter of the Percy French Festival, and the Strokestown Show.  He had an avid interest in the potential of Ballintubber Castle and also the tourism potential for the Donamon area. He was remembered as a great advocate for Ballintubber and the wider Roscommon area. Members remembered him as a gentle, reliable and kind person, who had a deep compassion and was a hard working councillor for his community.  His contribution to the rambling house, addressing the concerns of rural isolation and the vulnerability of people living alone was admired.  His active work in tackling rural crime was also remembered. 

Cllr. Waldrons’ ability to energise communities and seek funding for projects was admired and his ability to garner support from many different stakeholders was a key to his success and why people admired him so much.

His political career was admired, and the fact that he ran as an independent candidate in 2019 and 2024 was noted as testament of his popularity with the people of Roscommon, and a recognition of his great contribution to his county. He was admired as a true community man and an exemplary public representative, who worked as a team player in the Council and had the ability to look at the wider aspect with consideration, whilst having a great vision for the potential of what could be achieved.

Sincere condolences were given to his friends, family, the wider community in Ballintubber and his great fried Tommy Joe Finnegan.

On behalf of the management and staff, Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan expressed the sincere sympathies to Cllr. Waldron’s family and friends on his passing.  He acknowledged that the tributes paid by the members were a fitting reflection of the esteem in which Cllr. Waldron was held. His firm belief in the tourism potential of Roscommon and in particular his contribution to the Suck Valley Way will be remembered and he will be greatly missed.

The Cathaoirleach expressed his sincere sympathies to the Waldron family, and suspended the meeting for 15 minutes as a mark of respect.

The meeting was suspended for 15 minutes.