Emotional Hynes leaves Westport after almost a decade

Emotional Peter Hynes leaves Westport after almost a decade


FRESH from being ratified as the new County Manager three days previously, Peter Hynes attended his last meeting of Westport Town Council last Thursday evening, and was roundly lauded for his role in shaping the direction of the town for just short of ten years.
A presentation was made to Mr Hynes by the longest serving member, Cllr Margaret Adams, on behalf of her fellow councillors.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Myles Staunton led the plaudits, stating that Mr Hynes had overseen outstanding success in the Tidy Towns competition; the Smarter Travel initiative; an application for an Enterprise Centre; made unique contact with Google and the electricity demands of the town would soon be met due to a new ESB project.
Cllr Keith Martin said he had always been an excellent manager who was ‘always professional’. “You took risks in a system that does not encourage risks,” he said.
Cllr Tereasa McGuire said since his arrival he had ‘seen the best and worst of times’. He brought his own unique style to Westport.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said on a personal level, Mr Hynes had a great sense of humanity and had surrounded himself with excellent staff who had helped with the success of the council over the years.
Cllr Ollie Gannon said he had presided over three development plans and anything good that happened in the town had ‘Peter’s fingerprints on it,” with Cllr Margaret Adams adding that Mr Hynes was ‘very approachable, fair and a good listener’.
Cllr Martin Keane said he first met the manager through Community Games and of all the managers he had come across in Westport, Mr Hynes ‘stood out the most’.
Cllr Michael McLaughlin said he had enjoyed working with Mr Hynes during his short political career when he found him ‘very approachable’. Cllr Christy Hyland congratulated him on becoming ‘the leader of the county’. He added that it was not easy for Mr Hynes to do some of the things he had done but ‘you had the bottle to do them’.
An emotional Mr Hynes said Westport Town Council was one of the great reasons why town councils should not be gotten rid of.
The highlight of his tenure for him was their Pride of Place award in 2007 which saw 92 community groups come together, strongly led by the council. A standing ovation to Mr Hynes followed the tributes.