|
|
Hallinan to leave Inishowen
Partnership 19.03.09
Community worker stays
on as Youth Club chairman
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
PJ HALLINAN is leaving the Inishowen Partnership
after almost twelve years as the organisations Youth
Development Officer. The 65 year old formally
stepped down last week, although he will continue to
work on a voluntary basis while his replacements are
recruited.
“It was the right time to leave. Now I’ll have more
time to work on my golf swing,” joked the Buncrana
resident who said his leaving had been a low-key
affair. “We did have a night out last Friday which
was very nice. I’d like to express my gratitude to
the many people I have worked with in the community,
on both sides of the border, these last number of
years,” he said. Hallinan is committed to seeing
through his current projects before he moves on
completely. |
 |
“There are a number of
projects in the Partnership that I have started and
am committed to finishing, so I will continue to
work with on a voluntary basis for the time being.
Were I just to walk away a lot of important work and
some contacts would be lost,” said Hallinan who
added “It’s going to take two and a half people to
replace me,” in joking reference to the two new
full-time and one part-time members of staff that
Farset Inishowen are seeking to recruit over the
next couple of months.
Mr Hallinan said the job had been a frustrating one
at times, especially in terms |
of securing enough
funding to carry out all their programmes, but
overall he was satisfied with his work.
“The work done in the area of cross border peace and
reconciliation, like taking young Catholics and
Protestants from both sides of the border to the
peace park in Belgium, has been very rewarding.”
Hallinan will continue in his role as Chairman of
Buncrana Youth Club.
“The youth club still have a major development
ongoing with their new hall.”
Phase 3 of the development was due to be finished by
the summer, but the lack of Sports Capital funding
this year has put a question mark over the
completion of the Castle Avenue Multi sports
facility. He is confident that funding will be found
to allow the new building to be completed. |
|
