Gentleman of Limerick Council Kieran Lehane leaves big boots to be filled

IT was singer-songwriter Dennis Allen that penned the famous Treaty City anthem, Limerick, You’re A Lady, with its "Shannon waters tears...

IT was singer-songwriter Dennis Allen that penned the famous Treaty City anthem, Limerick, You’re A Lady , with its “Shannon waters tears of joy that flow”.

However, at the Metropolitan District’s AGM, Council members composed their own additional verse to this much-loved classic in tribute to one of Limerick’s most loyal public servants for the past 50 years.

Director of Environment, Climate Action, and Fire Responsible for the Metropolitan Municipal District, Kieran Lehane, first started work at Limerick City Council as a clerical officer in 1975. Originally from Rathbane, the highly-regarded member of the Council executive is often unintentionally referred to as Cllr Lehane in the chamber – he’s that well thought of.

Tributes were paid to one of councillors’ strongest and most popular allies in local government, and his “unsurmountable passion” to his native city, ahead of his retirement later this year.

The gratitude and love shown to Mr Lehane was clear testament to a job well done and a lifetime’s service to the people of Limerick.

“You epitomised everything good about Limerick. Dennis Allen has said ‘Limerick, You’re A Lady’, but you have been the gentleman of the Council,” Independent councillor Ursula Gavan enthused.

In one of his last duties as Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District, Cllr Daniel Butler (FG) made a presentation to Mr Lehane of a red ‘This is Your Life’-style book featuring newspaper articles from the year Kieran first started work with the Council, over half a century ago.

“Kieran has been working actively in relation to the city centre for many, many years. His passion, his energy is unsurmountable. Wherever he gets it from, I don’t know,” Cllr Butler commented.

“He exemplifies a real respect for councillors and what the role of councillor is. I really, really appreciate his support. He has always been good to give you a steer, share his knowledge, give guidance in terms of what we can and can’t do, the understanding of what the role of a councillor is, and, even in particular, in the transition in relation to the Mayor.”

The Fine Gael man took the view that Limerick Council would struggle to replicate the experience, insight, and exemplary knowledge that Mr Lehane has brought to his many roles down the years.

Príomh Chomhairleoir of LCCC, Cllr Catherine Slattery (FF) thanked Mr Lehane for being nothing but courteous and helpful to her since she was first elected to the local authority in 2019.

“Whoever will get your position has big boots to fill. You have been an asset to the Council, and you will be sorely missed,” Cllr Slattery said.

Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely praised Mr Lehane for his service to the local authority over five decades as she highlighted the high regard in which he always held councillors.

“You always give a steer to the councillors. You hold councillors in very high regard, and in the current climate, it’s very difficult to see how anyone would have that vast knowledge of this Council that you have gathered over a lifetime,” Cllr Kiely commented.

Cllr Dan McSweeney (FG) said that the communities across Limerick, which Mr Lehane so well served, recognise that he has tirelessly delivered for them since 1975.

“I joked at times that we sometimes needed to teach some of the Council staff how to use their mobile phones, because oftentimes they never answered. But the one thing about you, whether you rang at 10 o’clock at night, five o’clock on a Saturday, six o’clock on a Sunday, you always answered the phone, and that has to be respected,” Cllr McSweeney insisted.

Longest-serving Limerick councillor Kieran O’Hanlon (FF) thanked Mr Lehane for his friendship and courtesy over their many years working together.

“You’re one of our own. I hope that when you retire, your knowledge and experience and expertise won’t be lost to the city, that, in some fashion or other, you will continue your support and dedication and commitment to Limerick City,” Cllr O’Hanlon said.

Mr Lehane thanked councillors for their comments and insisted that the last 50 years “wasn’t work at all”.

“When I was a young clerical officer in 1975, what was inculcated in us at that time, when local government was very small, was to have respect for the elected members. I’ve been the returning officer for local elections, for general elections, and I have to commend you all for putting yourselves before the people. It is a very difficult thing to do, and you’re very courageous people. In as much as I might be at the end of the phone, but Lord, you’re at the end of the phone more often.

“What I would note, as time passes, is the rise of people’s belief about themselves with the rise of social media. ‘I’m always right’, which is very, very difficult for the elected members. I’m not on any social media, thanks be to Lord God, but I do see the stuff that goes on, and that makes your lives even more difficult, because you’re very public property, and we have to respect you as individuals and as members of the Council. We have to respect the authority that’s vested in you by law, and which this chamber exercises correctly in terms of powers that are vested in you. I try to bring that as much as I can to my colleagues,” he concluded.