Laois County Council has lost one of its most experienced engineers after she took up an offer of promotion in Kildare.
The move of Brenda Cuddy, who has been an acting senior executive engineer for west and south Laois for the past two years, but has worked in Laois for nearly 20 years, will be a big loss to the people of south and west Laois, according to councillors.
The Mountrath native has been promoted to a higher position in Kildare County Council, after nearly two decades working in Laois and says she is sorry to be leaving her home county.
Ms Cuddy thanked the councillors for their support at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.
“It is a job I loved and I am very sorry to be going and I wouldn’t be going unless I got a promotion. I really enjoyed (working in) the area. It is my home area and I really enjoyed working with the councillors,” she said.
All councillors paid tribute at their meeting. Chairman, Cllr John King wished her well but said: “It is our loss.”
Cllr Brendan Phelan said Ms Cuddy was very proactive. “She cut through the red tape where at all possible.” He hoped that the area was not being treated as a “training ground.”
Cllr Seamus McDonald said, “great work was done” by the departing engineer “even when it sometimes seemed like mission impossible.”
Cllr Paddy Bracken said she was very helpful, especially during the flooding problems. “She was always available.”
Cllr Dave Goodwin praised Ms Cuddy as a “common sense” person who “didn’t put up with any nonsense.”
Cllr James Kelly said Ms Cuddy knew “every square metre” of the council’s western area and a lot of work has been done since, which was due to her efforts. The councillors also thanked engineer John Ormond who is transferring to the eastern side of Laois.
