TRIBUTES were paid this week to Chief Fire Officer, Frank Kerrane, who retired on Tuesday. Mr Kerrane has given almost 26 years of service to Donegal County Council since he was first appointed to the post in July 1981.

Speaking at the May Council meeting in Lifford on Monday, Mr Michael McLoone, County Manager, said that Mr Kerrane had worked in the local government sector for the past 30 years.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Fire Officer, Mr Kerrane worked as Assistant Town Engineer and later as Executive Engineer with Dundalk Town Council for four years.

"I have acknowledged to Frank his great commitment to the work of Chief Fire Officer and have offered my sincere appreciation on my own behalf and on behalf of the staff for the professional, helpful and courteous manner in which he performed his work. I would like to wish himself and Mary and their family good health and happiness to enjoy his retirement from the Council," Mr McLoone said.

Council Chairman, Cllr Enda Bonner, said that Mr Kerrane had left behind a great legacy in the Fire Station Programme which has seen a number of new stations built across the county in the past eight years.

"He was a direct gentlemen who got the job done without any fuss," Cllr JJ Reid noted.

Cllrs Thomas Pringle, Dessie Larkin and Terence Slowey also paid tribute to Mr Kerrane.