Billy spent over 41 years in Local Authority work
By Sean Heffernan
WARM tributes were paid by councillors at the monthly council meeting to Billy Coman, who is retiring.
Mr Coman has spent, as he said himself, “over 41 years in Local Authority work”.
Billy Coman seen here presenting Jim Gavin with the freedom of the county in 2016
The well respected and hard working official has occupied various senior management roles, including that of Director of Housing and Social and Community Development, which he currently occupies.
The first person in the chamber to offer his good wishes was South Dublin County Council Chief Executive Daniel McLoughlin.
In a nod to the low-key understated way Mr Coman went about his work, he started off by saying “I know Billy does not like a fuss, so I will not make one”.
He then added, “Can I just thank him for the way he has carried out his duties in a fair and democratic manner.”
Among those to express their thanks to the Housing official was Independent Councillor Gus O’Connell who opined, “He is a man of many talents, I don’t know how he managed what he managed.”
In reference to his well known work ethic the Lucan councillor noted, “be it late at night or early in the morning, his car was always in the car park”.
First class great guy
Solidarity Councillor Mick Murphy was also full of praise remarking, “He went beyond the call of duty and is a first class great guy”.
Social Democrats Councillor Dermot Looney thanked him for “the decency and respect you showed to me”, which he said made his job a lot easier.
Mr Coman was the catalyst for the stadium development on Whitestown Way, and this was alluded to by Fianna Fail Cllr Charlie O’Connor, “You really have done an enormous amount of work in your role, and those of us who are regular visitors to Tallaght Stadium will want to acknowledge this.”
After all the councillors had their say, it fell to the man of the moment to wrap up proceedings with a few words of his own.
“I can assure you all that I will not have a spare car in the car park.”
Regarding his many years of service he noted “it has been challenging, but rewarding, local government has been good to me.
“I’ve been in many council chambers, and I got a lot of work done – That’s the mantra: collaboration gets the job done.”
After he thanked those present for their kind words, a round of applause erupted around the council chamber in recognition of the admiration all present had for Billy Coman.
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