Former Donegal County Council Manager Michael McLoone who passed away at the weekend has been remembered as a pioneer, who totally transformed the authority.
Mr McLoone served as County Manager in Lifford from 1994 until 2010, and oversaw a number of groundbreaking initiatives, including the construction of Public Services Centres in Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Dungloe, Letterkenny and Milford.
He also chaired task forces established after the closure of Fruit of the Loom and Unifi, and served as Chair of the governing body which oversaw the transition of Letterkenny Regional Technical College into Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
On today’s Nine til Noon Show, current Chief Executive John McLaughlin said Michael McLoone’s commitment to local government reform was immense.……………
Meanwhile, in a statement this afternoon, Taoiseach Michael Martin says he is deeply saddened at the passing of Michael McLoone, describing him as an outstanding public servant who excelled in so many different roles, while Donegal County Council honoured McLoone’s passion for the county.
Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin:
I am deeply saddened at the passing of Michael McLoone. An outstanding public servant who excelled in so many different roles. It was my privilege to know Michael and witness his dedication to his county and country. He was a towering figure of Donegal GAA. My thoughts are with his family.
Statement from Donegal County Council:
Donegal County Council is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former County Manager, Michael McLoone.Mr. McLoone served as County Manager from 1994 until his retirement in 2010. He was a dedicated and passionate leader who made a lasting impact on our county. While many important capital projects were delivered during his tenure with the Council, he will most notably be remembered for a remarkable transformation in local government in the county with the decentralisation of offices.
On his retirement in 2010, Mr. McLoone described his time with Donegal County Council as the most “challenging and rewarding of his career”.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Paul Canning, commented, “On behalf of the people of Donegal and the members of Donegal County Council, I extend our deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife, Imelda, his sons, Michael, David, and Philip, daughter Caroline and the extended McLoone family at this difficult time.
As County Manager, Michael made a significant contribution to life in Donegal. The decentralisation of offices resulted in a network of public service centres across the county, bringing democracy into the heart of local communities.”
The Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, John G. McLaughlin, said “I worked under the leadership of Michael on the Senior Management Team for a period of almost 10 years. I recall his drive and determination for change, all of which resulted in the better delivery of services to the citizens of our county.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
