Although Cllr Diarmaid Ward has now stepped down and a new councillor has been elected for Holloway, I wanted to take a moment to recognise and thank him for his years of service to our community.

Over the years, Diarmaid was always approachable, supportive and willing to engage with residents. Whether it was attending community events, listening to concerns, supporting local initiatives, or responding to issues affecting the area, he was consistently present and accessible.

Like any elected representative, there were policies and decisions that not everyone agreed with, and I certainly did not agree with everything. However, disagreement should never prevent us from recognising dedication and service when we see it. What I always respected was his willingness to listen, engage and support residents, even when views differed.

Public service is not always easy, and those who put themselves forward to represent their communities often face criticism as well as praise. Through it all, Diarmaid remained committed to Holloway and to the people he served.

As he moves on to the next chapter of his life, I would like to thank him for his support, encouragement and contribution to our community over many years.

People may not always remember every policy or decision, but they do remember how you treated them. For many residents, Diarmaid will be remembered as someone who was approachable, supportive and genuinely cared about the community he represented.

I wish him and his family good health, happiness and every success for the future.

Thank you, Diarmaid. Your contribution to Holloway will be remembered and appreciated by many residents.

Written by Mustafa