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Latest ESBNET News @ : 07/05/2021 14:23:54
Latest Notices
Friday 7th May 2021 14:23
Farewell & Thanks
Retirement of John Flynn / Shay Nolan
After over 42 years in ESB John Flynn is taking his leave of us all. As a small celebration to mark the occasion there will be a virtual function, hopefully with things seeming to be opening up we may get to meet in person soon to mark it in person. It will take place on Thurs 13th May (John’s actual last day) between 15:30 and 17:00. If you would like to virtually attend please contact me (Seamus Nolan – mailto:seamus.nolan@esb.ie) by email and I will send you the details for the function.
https://thehub.esb.ie/Noticeboard/Pages/Noticeboard.aspx?ID=4384 / Sean O’Connell
Our friend and colleague John O’Donoghue will retire on May 14th, 2021 after almost 41 years of dedicated service to ESB. John started out on his career with ESB on the is 5th August 1980 as a trainee Linesman and served the first year and a half in the coastal town of Youghal. He then spent another 12 months in Fermoy before returning to ESB Albert Road, Cork where he received his Chargehand Linesman certificate. ESB headquarters moved to Wilton in 1984 and in 1985 John was invited to move to the Fleet and Equipment Garage as a mechanic. In 1986 John was asked to create a schedule for maintaining and inspecting lifting and climbing equipment in accordance with HSA Regulations in Cork. Following the success of the Cork pilot John was set the task of developing an identical system to accommodate all lifting and climbing equipment nationally. John developed a team of Lifting and Climbing Inspectors, training them on maintenance, repair, and inspection of all lifting and climbing equipment. The team created by John continues this work today, inspecting more than 50,000 items annually. John has always shown a flair for innovation and took on many projects, one of the most notable being a sustainability project where ESB Networks undertook a biodiesel pilot aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the ESB fleet. This involved the introduction of biofuel vehicles and electric vehicles in partnership with the University of Limerick, travelling to Belgium to showcase some of the first electric vehicles, and finally in 2010 travelling to the Italian Alps as part of a research team with a group of UL professors testing Irish made biofuel in extreme sub-zero temperatures. John joined the Technical Development Team in 2011 in the role of Technical Specialist with responsibility for lifting, working at height, load securing and construction tooling, succeeding Liam Shanahan. John wore the badge of Technical Specialist with ease, and through his experience and knowledge he made a really significant contribution across Networks including the development of a number of bespoke systems such as the Zip-Line System, Fallsoft/Post & Base System, aluminium X-arm gins, ALF lifting system to name but a few. John also continued to work closely with the Lifting Gear Team and especially his successor Paul Dennehy to ensure the safe introduction of new lifting and working at height equipment. John’s real strength lay in his ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels in ESB, always happy to take a call and appreciative of feedback. John’s brilliant wit, excellent story telling ability and listening ear have made him extremely popular with all his friends and colleagues across ESB and beyond. John certainly won’t be idle in retirement and I’m sure his grandson Jack has plenty of day trips planned for this summer and beyond. Retirement will also afford John the time to dedicate himself to supporting his beloved West Ham and Cork City, and when travel restrictions are eased getting back on that plane to some sunny destinations.
On behalf of everyone in Technical Development I want to wish John and his wife Rita and their family good health and every happiness for the future.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, we cannot celebrate John’s retirement as we would like at this time. However, we look forward to celebrating later when restrictions are lifted.
RIP
Thanks from Rosin Phelan / Róisín Phelan
I want to express my sincere thanks to all my colleagues and ex colleagues who sympathised with me on the recent death of my brother Con Phelan. The many phone calls, emails, texts, and condolences on RIP.ie, attendance in the church yard and graveyard while adhering to the restrictions were greatly appreciated and huge source of comfort to me and my family. All your support is/was much appreciated, thank you. Róisín