Seamus Neely, Donegal County Manager (left) and Collr. Noel McBride, Mayor of Donegal, pictured here celebrating their win of the Council of the Year Award at the LAMA Awards 2012 held in Dublin. Pic. Robbie Reynolds/CPR
BY KATE HEANEY
DONEGAL County Council won the ‘Council of the Year’ award at the Local Authority Members Association Awards in Dublin on Saturday night for its flagship Road Safety Road Show.
Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan hosted the gala event attended by more than 400 local authority members at the Crown Plaza Hotel.
County Manager Seamus Neely and Mayor Noel McBride were in Dublin to accept the prestigious award which recognised the contribution the Road Safety Road Show has had in educating young drivers of the dangers on the roads.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Mayor McBride was delighted with the award and praised all those involved in putting together the Road Safety Road Show. Donegal Road Safety Officer Eamon Brown also attended, Deputy Mayor Barry O’Neill, NRA Road Safety Officer for Donegal Stephen Lambert, Cllr David Alcorn who is Vice Chairman of LAMA, Cllr Paddy McGowan and Buncrana’s Mayor Cllr Nicolas Crossan.
“The award was in recognition of the campaign that has already seen 12,000 young people attend the show over the last four years. I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the people of Donegal.
“The most important message is road safety and proper behaviour on our roads and we have to believe this road show is having a positive impact on our young drivers and road users – they see at that show, first hand, just what can happen,” Mayor McBride said.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan also attended the ceremony.
First held in 2006, the LAMA Awards were created to recognise innovative local and national projects in the areas of infrastructure, community development, recreation and social impact initiatives.
Cllr Hugh McElvaney, Chairman of the LAMA Association said: “We are delighted to highlight and recognise excellent projects and initiatives at local, county and national level. Congratulations to all the winners.”