Three Laois men honoured with awards for their dedicated service to local oil supplier Certa

Three local men from Laois were honoured with special awards to mark their many years of distinguished service to the local fuel supplier Certa this month. 

The company is headquartered in Portlaoise and operates Ireland's largest network of pay-at-the-pump forecourts and home heating depots, one of which is also located in Portlaoise. 

The Managing Director of Certa, Orla Stevens, presented the awards to Declan Keenan, Brian Dunne and Noel Brown and commended their service to the company throughout the years. The three men were granted the awards after achieving the milestone of 25 years of service respectively. 

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Speaking about Declan Keenan who is based in Portlaoise as Direct Routing Supervisor, Orla Stevens said: "Declan currently supervises approximately 25 drivers from multiple depots across the country. He is a very competent routing supervisor who has kept the day-to-day operation moving for a long number of years.

"His contribution and work ethic, particularly during challenging periods for the operation, has ensured that thousands of customers have been able to keep their families warm throughout the winter."

She added: "Declan is an extremely friendly person who is always available to help his colleagues with the wealth of knowledge that he has garnered over the years, or just for a chat on anything from family, to hurling and travel to Australia. He is very popular and well regarded by all of his colleagues."

Commending Brian Dunne who serves as IT Director and Company Secretary, Stevens said: "Brian Dunne started his professional life as a solider in the Irish Army before joining Emo Oil. He has seen many changes during the years and has worked with a number of managing directors where his expert knowledge has helped to drive the business forward."

Then finally, speaking about Certa driver Noel Brown, she said: "Noel worked with Atlas Oil for five years before they merged into Emo Oil in 1997 and is a familiar face to Certa customers having serviced the Portlaoise town area for more than 25 years. He was on site in Portlaoise when the first two Emo trucks arrived.

"Noel is well known for the excellent service that he provides to Certa customers in Portlaoise. His service over the past 25 years has been exceptional and we are delighted to recognise his great work as a local face of our business. Noel is also a keen golfer and is looking forward to the longer evenings to play a few holes."

The Managing Director went on to say how much the company values the dedicated service of the three employees and that this service is crucially important to the goal of "becoming Ireland's most progressive energy company."