Laois councillor shocks colleagues with unexpected early retirement

A Laois county councillor shocked his colleagues today by announcing early retirement.

A spontaneous standing ovation was given to Labour Cllr Noel Tuohy, who announced he will be retiring from his seat, on health reasons.

Cllr Tuohy who has spoken publically about his Parkinson's Disease, said he will be returning to London for more treatment.

The retired prison officer, dad to Australian football star Zach Touhy, has served as a councillor in the Portlaoise Municipal District since 2014, with pride and particular interest in Portlaoise, in disability services and health and mental health services.

He was warmly praised by his colleagues for his commitment, his gentle manner, wit and his championing of the underprivileged.

Cllr Touhy read out his announcement to them at the start of the monthly council meeting on Monday December 12.

"January will be my last meeting and my successor will be in place for the February meeting.

"This is a decision I have not taken lightly and I do so on medical grounds. I will be returning to London for more treatment and I feel that I cannot commit 100% to my work in that case.

"I want to thank everyone who trusted me with their vote to represent them and that I have done to the best of my ability always," he said, also thanking his council colleagues and Laois County Council staff and management for their help and cooperation.

"I got into politics in regard to the Save the Hospital campaign and the inspiration of people like Ruairí Quinn and Michael D Higgins. It is great now to see the investment in the general hospital and in Abbeyleix Hospital where we all marched side by side to prevent downgrading and closure," he said.

He listed improvements to his town during his time, including new school buildings including one for St Francis Special School, and his hopes for one for Kolbe Special school soon. 

"I have always been interested in facilities for young people including the leisure centre, soccer pitches, skate park, Dunamaise Theatre and centre for the arts, playground facilities and equipment for those with special needs.

"Mental Health has always been a priority for me and thankfully we now have a new SOSAD centre in Portlaoise servicing Laois. I am proud to be involved from the outset and I would like to remind people that this service is free of charge but depends on funding and the kindness of people," Cllr Tuohy said.

Cllr Tuohy thanked his wife Marie and his family for their support. 

Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland and fellow councillors praised him warmly.

"This is very regretful news. I am very sorry to hear it. Im my dealings with you over the past seven and a half years, you have been a man of deep compassion, very caring. That is your first hallmark. You were unfailingly courteous to everyone you met, and knowledgeable. 

"You have a great sense of wit that you carried into battle to diffuse situations. You managed your personal health issue and must have a great inner core of strength. You can try to disagree but we all know it's there. We thank you for your work since 2014 and wish you well in your treatment, and wish you and Marie and your family the best in your journey ahead. I am sure you will continue to take a keen interest in Portlaoise. Go raibh maith agat as do chuid obair," Mr Mulholland said.

Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she and colleagues were "absolutely shocked" when he told them last weekend.

"I admire anyone who puts their health and family ahead of politics. Noel carried through on all his promises, raising a whole discussion on mental health and the hospital. We were the only two in opposition in Portlaoise Municipal District, I look forward to whoever is chosen as his replacement. I wish you and your family the best of good health and I hope your treatment is successful. I acknowledge Marie's great work to support you as a councillor," she said.

Cllr John King said he had "never a raised voice" and was very sincere, and a great campaigner for mental health and hospital issues.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy said he had been a colleague since they were both prison officers 30 years ago. Cllr Aidan Mullins praised his "calm demeanor, intelligent thoughtful contributions and opinions".

Cllr Willie Aird said he was afraid to go to a Portlaoise Panto when Cllr Touhy was on stage because he knew he would be "lifted out of it" by his witty comments. 

"When you stood for Labour, you were swimming against the tide. They lost a lot of seats in 2014, you were one of the few to win one," he said.

He and others praised him for bringing Labour leader Alan Kelly to visit Laois in 2014 which brought Government investment.

"You were a man committed to social justice and equal opportunity. You stood out with the best," said Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

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Cllr Tuohy thanked them.

"Thanks everyone for your kind words. It's been hard for me this morning but you have to look at the funny side of everything. Thank you to Michelle and Irene in the council, it was like having my own PA, you spoiled me really. There are great staff in the council, unfailingly courteous to me. Any one of the 18 councillors is welcome to my house to get a cup of tea any time. They mightn't get a vote, but they'll get a cup of tea," he said.