The elected members and officials of Ballina Municipal District paid moving tributes to the late Mayo County Council worker John McNicholas at their meeting on Tuesday.
They described his tragic death as leaving "a huge void" in the community and adjourned the meeting as a mark of respect to Mr McNicholas and his family.
The Bohola community and staff of Mayo County Council were left stunned and in deep mourning following Mr McNicholas' death after he was struck by a tar sprayer on Tuesday June 9 during a road mending operation near Knockmore.
Extending his sincere sympathies to Mr McNicholas' family, friends and colleagues, Foxford's Councillor Neil Cruise described the Mayo County Council employee as a man who was "devoted to his family and job".
Cllr Cruise said Mr McNicholas was a well-known figure in Foxford and his death was a huge loss to the town.
'Profound positive effect'
"You wouldn't meet a more decent man than John McNicholas," said Cllr Cruise. "He was very straight-up and honest. There are very few people you meet who have such a profound positive effect on you. His death has left a huge void".
All of the individual elected members paid tribute to Mr McNicholas and extended their sympathies to his family and community.
Director of services in Ballina, Paul Benson, echoed those sentiments on behalf of Mayo County Council.
He described Mr McNicholas as a "decent, hard working and honest guy" whose name had become synonymous with the local authority.
"He was a true community man," said Mr Benson.
