Lucey named as Cork county manager

He started in the most junior post in Cork County Council 32 years ago and has now risen to become its most senior official.

Tim Lucey, 49, was last night confirmed as Cork’s new county manager, replacing Martin Riordan who retired last December.

Mr Lucey, who has previously served as an assistant county manager (for North Cork) and head of corporate affairs for the county council, was chosen ahead of four others who were interviewed for the vacancy.

He said that while he was delighted to have served as Cork City manager for the past three-and-a-half years it was always his ambition to end up running the county he was born and bred in.

“I have a lot of fond memories of working for the county council having started my career with them as clerical assistant in 1982,” Mr Lucey said.

He paid tribute to the people he worked with in City Hall saying he “had a great relationship with its management, staff and councillors,” which he hopes to continue even though he is going to County Hall.

Mr Lucey added that the city would continue to be “a significant driver” in growing the region’s economy.

He said he believed the county council will become more influential in the coming years in supporting businesses and job creation.

It’s expected that Mr Lucey will aim to further the help the €1m Economic Development Fund he creared gives to businesses.

Mr Lucey, who was born in Bandon, is a married father of two children who also spent a while working for the former Southern Health Board.