T’was the fondest of farewells for a councillor who quite simply never missed a meeting, so much so his hospital bed and a trusty internet connection played host to one particular meeting for the one-time stricken Craigavon in-patient.
ABC Council bid adieu to the departing DUP Alderman, Gareth Wilson, who clocked out of council duty for the final time on Monday night – swapping the council chamber for Stormont corridors.
The Cusher representative is set to replace William Irwin as the MLA for Newry & Armagh on January 1, and councillors from right across the council chamber were keen to acknowledge Alderman Wilson’s sense of duty over the past 20 years – going as far as attending meetings remotely, from his hospital bed, on at least one occasion.
As this was his very last attendance at an ABC Council meeting, Alderman Wilson started by thanking his party colleagues as well as senior ABC management.
He continued: “This is my last opportunity to speak to you all, and to put on record my thanks. I also want to pay tribute to William Irwin MLA who is stepping down on January 1, and I will then be in place within that first week of January. It’s big shoes to fill.
“I won’t forget ABC council. I’ll try to remember you when I’m up in the Assembly, and I would like to make that link between council and the Assembly a bit stronger.
“Thank you to all the councillors here for their support and for their kindness over the years. We have our hard debates, but when we walk out, we’re always friendly and that’s what it’s about.”
Cllr Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA) remarked on the outgoing representative’s attention to detail, as a member of the Planning & Statutory Services committee: “As someone who frequently enjoyed debates with Alderman Wilson, both in Planning and full council, on behalf of my own party I’d like to congratulate him and wish him well.
“Being on Planning, it can be quite complex, and what comes across with Gareth is his thorough approach to matters, particularly regarding rural matters.
“I just wish Gareth well. He talked about replacing William’s big shoes. Whoever has to replace Gareth’s big shoes has a role to play as well there. I wish you all the best.”
Ald Paul Berry (Independent, Cusher DEA) praised Alderman Wilson’s passion and commitment: “Could I just congratulate Gareth for his appointment up to the Assembly for Newry & Armagh.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gareth for 20 years or more. As Cusher councillors, we have worked closely on many things over the years, for the benefit of the people of Cusher and the general council area.
“Gareth will be missed in this chamber. He’ll be missed on the Planning committee. He said that he will remember us, and you can be sure that we’ll not be forgetting about him, and we’ll keep him busy.
“He has great ability and a great way with people. Gareth has always been a very level-headed individual and one who has a passion for what he does. I know Gareth will do a tremendous job, as he has done as a councillor for 20 years. I do wish him and his family all the very best in the years that lie ahead.
“I would also pay tribute to the outgoing member of the Assembly, William Irwin, who has been a strong advocate for Newry & Armagh, especially for the agriculture sector.”
Cllr Keith Ratcliffe (TUV, Cusher DEA) paid tribute to a personal friend: “I’ve known Gareth personally for over 30 years now. I’d just like to congratulate you, Gareth, and wish you all the best in your new role in the Assembly, and also pay tribute to William Irwin and wish him a happy retirement.”
Cllr Kevin Savage (SF, Banbridge DEA) saw in the future MLA a people’s person who had endeared himself to many over the years: “I’d like to pass on best wishes to Alderman Wilson as he moves on from the Council to the Assembly.
“Gareth has been well known for the excellent work he does. He’s seen on social media sometimes with various pieces of heavy equipment, including chainsaws, taking matters into his own hands.
“My abiding memory of Gareth was when he was Lord Mayor, and at any of the functions that he held he was probably the first one there, and also probably the last one to leave.
“All those that attended them were impressed by his warmth and friendliness. He made a really good impression on all the folks he met.
“He’ll be certainly missed on the Planning committee. He’s been a long-time member, and his experience and knowledge, and attention to detail, will certainly be missed.
“I think what we’ll miss most about Gareth is his civility and his courteousness during debates. He presses home his point, but he does it with good manners at all times. Our loss is the Assembly’s gain.”
Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP, Armagh DEA) explained he had a lot of respect for the outgoing councillor: “Can I add my congratulations and best wishes to Gareth.
“Gareth, as everyone has said, has always been a true gentleman in this place, and you can have your political disagreements and then on the way out through the door, there’s always a bit of cráic as well.”
Alderman Gordon Kennedy (UUP, Cusher DEA) said he had particularly appreciated Alderman Wilson’s constructive input on the Planning committee: “On behalf of myself and the whole UUP group in here, I would like to congratulate Gareth on his elevation.
“We will miss him on the Planning committee. He was the wise old head I think on the Planning committee.
“Gareth has always been very good, very courteous. On and off council we crossed paths. I rated Gareth very highly, and his feedback the time he was Lord Mayor was very positive. He was a really good advocate for the council.
“And I’ll pass on best wishes to William Irwin on his retirement. I had the privilege of starting out on the old Armagh Council when William was a councillor.”
ABC Lord Mayor, Ald Stephen Moutray also had a thought for the retiring Newry & Armagh MLA: “Could I just endorse what others have said in relation to William? I worked with William for a decade in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and he’s a second-to-none personality and a decent colleague and friend to work with.”
Ald Mark Baxter (DUP, Lagan River DEA) remarked on Alderman Wilson’s unflagging dedication: “Congratulations, Gareth. I have no doubt that you’ll do a sterling job when you’re up there at Stormont, and you can maybe start by a list of the potholes in the borough.
“If you could pass on our best wishes to William Irwin too. William has been a fine advocate for Newry & Armagh for a number of years, and a real gentleman who has a great way with the people.
“Sometimes, as group leader, I can be a bit rash and impulsive, and say things that would maybe be better counting to 10 before I do say them and get myself into bother.
“So, when something controversial does come across, the first port of call I would go to is Gareth, because I think anybody that knows him knows he’s very measured in everything that he does and says.
“He does speak his mind, but he does it in a cool, calm and collected way, and in a very measured way as well. So, just really to wish you well as you take up that mantle. It is a big responsibility, but I have no doubt that you will take to it as you have taken to your job in this council now and in Armagh previously for some 19 or 20 years.
“And the dedication that Gareth has shown. When he wasn’t too well earlier in the year, he did actually Zoom in, because he had a point to make on a planning issue or some [other] issue.
“He did Zoom in from his hospital bed, when the rest of us probably wouldn’t have done that. So that does show the dedication there.
“We really will miss you here. We’ll miss your wise counsel. But I have no doubt that you’ll be a great asset up there, not only to our party, but to the people of Newry & Armagh.”
