By Cianna McNally
Warm tributes were paid and presentations were made to Monaghan Town Council traffic and litter warden Dominic Kane who retired recently after 23 years in the role.
A special function was held in honour of Mr Kane on Thursday last, 27th March in the town council chamber and was attended by councillors, town council staff, gardaí and members of Mr Kane’s family.
Town Clerk Marie Deighan welcomed all present and introduced each speaker.
TRIBUTES PAID
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council Paul McGeown commended Mr Kane on doing a great job and he also described him as very approachable. On behalf of the town councillors and the staff of Monaghan Town Council, Councillor McGeown wished Mr Kane all the best in the his retirement.
Representing the Sinn Féin party, Councillor Sean Conlon extended the party’s best wishes to Mr Kane and he described retirement as a milestone in a person’s life.
Cllr Conlon acknowledged the members of the gardaí who were present and said that their presence indicated that Mr Kane’s role as a Traffic and Litter Warden had involved him going above and beyond the normal duties of local authority staff.
“The traffic systems around our town have been improved and you no doubt had a role in all of that,” Cllr Conlon told Mr Kane.
He added that it was regrettable that Mr Kane had retired and he wished him well.
“You have served your time, you have given many years of loyal service and for that we are very grateful,” said Cllr Conlon.
He also referred to how the introduction of pay parking in the town 10 years ago saw Mr Kane “on the frontline.” Cllr Conlon estimated that approximately seven or eight million euro had been generated in income through pay parking and Mr Kane had had a pivotal role in this.
He had carried out his duties professionally and with a common sense approach and thus held up the town council’s good reputation.
“You will be missed Dominic, I always found you to be a gentleman to work with and I wish you well in your retirement,” concluded Cllr Conlon.
Independent councillor Seamus Treanor said that he knew Mr Kane before he joined the staff of Monaghan Town Council.
Cllr Treanor described Mr Kane as “a fellow that would roll up his sleeves and help people” especially in relation to litter problems in the town and he wished him well in his retirement.
“From myself and my family and from the rest of the councillors here I wish you and your family the best of luck in your retirement.” said Cllr Treanor.
Fianna Fáil councillor Robbie Gallagher acknowledged that the job of a traffic warden was a difficult one but he credited Mr Kane with having a common sense approach.
“I always found Dominic very very easy to deal with and he always took a common sense approach and was widely respected by the town for that,” commented Cllr Gallagher who also wished Mr Kane many happy years of retirement.
Independent councillor Tommy Hagan agreed with the sentiments expressed by previous speakers and also extended good wishes to Mr Kane and his family.
RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
Ms Deighan read out part of the minutes of a statutory estimates meeting of Monaghan Urban District Council held in May 1972 where it was decided to appoint a traffic warden in the town. However, much to the amusement of those present at Mr Kane’s retirement function, Ms Deighan went on to say that it took from 1972 until 1993 to find the right man for the job!
Mr Kane began work as a litter warden for Monaghan Town Council in 1991 and was later appointed to the post of traffic litter warden in 1993. Ms Deighan described the role of a traffic warden as being complex in its nature and said that it demanded qualities from across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
“Dominic possessed all those qualities. He had the tact of a good politician, the knowledge of a barrister and the fairness of a judge and he was still a teddy bear to all the girls in the office!”
Ms Deighan also said that Mr Kane was “highly respected” by the town traders and …
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