Council tribute to those affected by Covid-19

Sincere sympathies were extended to everyone who has lost a loved one to Covid-19 at the first Westmeath County Council meeting in three months on Monday week last in Athlone.

The council chambers in Athlone Civic Centre were opened up to take in a second room, to allow for social distancing among the members present and senior council staff on May 25 last.

One councillor also wore a mask during the meeting.

Opening proceedings, the leas-cathaoirleach, Cllr John Shaw, explained to the meeting that he was filling in for the cathaoirleach, Cllr Paddy Hill, who is currently cocooning, as is Cllr Frank McDermott, and he sent both men best wishes.

He said that they are living in a “unusual times” and no one could have predicted at their last meeting in February how coronavirus would take “grip of our lives” since then.

Cllr Shaw extended his deepest sympathies to all who have lost their lives as result of the pandemic, and their families, and he noted one of the saddest aspects of it all is how the great Irish tradition of a funeral has not been possible, leaving grieving families without that support.

The Fianna Fáil councillor from Raharney also took the opportunity to pay tribute to all the frontline workers, especially those in healthcare who went beyond the call of duty during the crisis.

Cllr Shaw thanked the council executive and staff for all their hard work in reaching out to the community to those needed assistance. Now, he said, the county needs to look forward to getting to back to some sort of normality as different parts of society re-opens.

Westmeath County Council CEO, Pat Gallagher, echoed the sentiments of Cllr Shaw on behalf of members, saying he wanted to remember those lives touched by Covid-19 in a few short weeks, but particularly those who lost their lives as a result.

He acknowledged the “great work” of council staff, and those working in statutory, non-statutory and community groups to care for people during the public health crisis.