Mallow boardwalk will be Dan Joe’s
A MOTION calling for the proposed new Mallow Bridge Boardwalk to be named in honour of the late Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald has been unanimously backed by Kanturk/Mallow area county councillors.
The motion was formally proposed by Cllr Gearóid Murphy (FF), who said it would be fitting for the boardwalk, a project Dan Joe had supported, be named in his honour.
A MOTION calling for the proposed new Mallow Bridge Boardwalk to be named in honour of the late Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald has been unanimously backed by Kanturk/ Mallow area county councillors.
The motion was discussed at their December monthly meeting after it was formally proposed by Cllr Gearóid Murphy (FF), who said it would be fitting for the boardwalk, a project that Cllr Fitzgerald had supported during his time on both the town and county councils, be named in his honour.
“Since my co-option onto the county council I have been given an insight into the huge legacy of public service that Dan Joe left behind. Not just to the town of Mallow but the entire north Cork region, even in areas that he did not formally represent. It was always known that Dan Joe would do his best for you,” said Cllr Murphy.
He said that Cllr Fitzgerald’s reputation went across party lines and that during his time on the authority councillors from across the political spectrum had recognised that something should be done to recognise Cllr Fitzgerald’s “exceptional career of public service to the region.”
“His contribution to local commerce has already been recognised at last year’s Mallow Business Awards. I think it is now fitting that this council recognise the other aspect of his professional life – his spirit of volunteerism and record of public service on behalf of his community,” said Cllr Murphy.
“Dan Joe was always strongly identified with Mallow and I think it would be a fitting tribute to his record of public service and memory that the Boardwalk be named after him.”
Seconding the motion Cllr Timmy Collins (Ind) said he felt everyone would agree this was an “entirely appropriate” motion.
“Dan Joe was an extremely popular man in Mallow and for as long as I have been in politics his name was synonymous with the local authority. He worked extremely hard for Mallow and his passing was a huge loss to the town and the surrounding area. It is therefore right and proper that his name be remembered through the Boardwalk,” he said.
Cllr Melissa Mullane (SF) said the late Cllr Fitzgerald was a “great man for Mallow”, while Cllr Gerard Murphy (FG) said he was a man who would always set aside political differences in the best interests of Mallow.
Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) agreed saying Cllr Fitzgerald’s passing had left a huge void in Mallow. “It would be remiss of us as a Council not to formally recognise the work he did on behalf of the town and all of the people he represented. It is fitting the boardwalk be named after him,” he said.
The Kanturk/Mallow municipal district officer, Liz Donovan, said the motion would now go to full council for approval and once passed would go out for public consultation.
She went on to say that the final design for the project was almost complete and would be outlined at a public meeting due to take place in late February.
“We anticipate that the tendering process for the project will commence in either quarter one of quarter two of next year,” she added.