'It's time to pass the baton'

Councillors this week paid tribute to long serving councillor Henry Cremin as he attended his last Cork City Council meeting.

The Sinn Féin party member announced on Sunday night that he was stepping down after 12 years as a city councillor and three decades as a party public representative adding that it was the right time.

He was keen to stress that although he was stepping down he was “going nowhere as a Sinn Féin member or as a community activist”.

“I didn't come to this decision lightly. I have given it serious thought over the last while. After 30 years on the frontline of local politics, it is time to pass the baton to the new generation. It is the right time for me to move on to other things within the Sinn Féin party and outside of public office.”

He continued: “I have enjoyed my time as a representative of the people. It is a very important thing to have the opportunity to stand up for people and for communities. To give them a voice. I would like to thank all my constituents for their support. I hope they feel I did a good job. From my first day as a public representative, I gave it everything.”

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh wished him many years of health and happiness in his retirement while praising him for the work he has done with Pieta House. “He has always thought of and put others before himself.”

Independent Cllr Mick Finn said he will be missed by the community.

Cllr Terry Shannon (Fianna Fáil) said: “We were never anything but friends even though we might have differed. You made a huge impact, there’s no doubt about that.”

Fine Gael’s Des Cahill said Mr Cremin was “exceptionally good to deal with and you will be missed by myself and my colleagues”.

Tadhg Keating

Councillors also thanked the interim head of housing at City Hall for his work in that role and for 44 years of service.

Cllr Mick Finn congratulated Tadhg Keating adding that he was always great to deal with and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Cllr Shannon joked that he must have started working when he was five as he doesn’t look like a man who has that many years behind him and wish him well.

Cllr Cahill described Mr Keating as a “stalwart of the city”.