Three Waterford council workers honoured with rare 'Diamond Service' after nearly 50 years

More than 200 staff members from Waterford City and County Council have been honoured for their long service, with some employees clocking up almost half a century of service with the local authority.

The special awards event took place at The Tower Hotel on Friday, March 6, where 223 council staff members were recognised for their dedication, ranging from 25 to nearly 50 years of service.

The certificates of long service were presented by Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive Sean McKeown, with the event celebrating the contribution of staff working across a wide range of council services.

Three employees received the prestigious Diamond Service Award, recognising almost 50 years of service with Waterford Local Authorities.

Those honoured with the distinction were Mary O'Brien, Mary Quigley and Noel O'Keeffe.

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Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Seamus Ryan paid tribute to the staff members and the work they have carried out across the city and county over decades.

"Whether maintaining roads and housing, supporting communities, protecting our environment, delivering services, guiding development, responding to emergencies or shaping long term strategy, your work has directly improved the daily lives of citizens across the county," he said.

The Mayor also acknowledged the dedication often carried out behind the scenes.

"Very often the public may not see the effort behind the scenes, the early starts, the difficult decisions, the steady persistence required to keep services running smoothly, but that dedication is what keeps our communities strong," he added.

Chief Executive Sean McKeown also praised the workforce for their commitment to the local authority and the communities they serve.

"You have been the steady hands that Waterford relies on. You turn a 'Local Authority' into a community, and I am genuinely proud to lead this team," he said.

Staff recognised on the night work across a wide range of departments including fire services, housing, roads, environment, community services, economic development, property management, cleansing and maintenance.