Popular Hamilton councillor Tommy Gilligan who passed away last week to have a street named after him

Nov 3 2011 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON councillor Tommy Gilligan – who recently died at the age of 74 – is to have a street named after him.

And the honour is considered fitting for a councillor who liked to strike out on his own.

Former independent councillor Graeme Horne who, like Mr Gilligan, stood on a platform opposing the closure of Earnock High School in the council election of 2003 came up with the name ‘Gilligan’s Way’ along with independent councillor Lynn Filshie.

Mr Gilligan, who lived in Silvertonhill, had been the principal teacher of languages at the high school before he retired in 1995.

The name is to be assigned to the new housing development being built at the former Holy Cross High School site.

Mr Horne, who later joined the SNP group, said this week: “I think it is a very fitting name and memorial to Tommy who I think would have appreciated it.

“Tommy’s way of doing things was sometimes different to other people, but there was always a good reason for that.”

Officials and council leader Councillor Eddie McAvoy have agreed to the name proposed by councillors Horne and Filshie.

Mr Horne explained: “Officials tend to chose suitable street names and if councillors want different ones they can object within a given timescale.

“The name Gilligan’s Way has been accepted by officials.

“I’ve spoken to Tommy’s wife Maureen and his son Douglas who also thought the name Gilligan’s Way was apt.

“His family see it as a bit of an honour.”

Warm tributes poured in last week following Mr Gilligan’s death.

Another former independent councillor who later joined the SNP group, Bert Thomson, said of Mr Gilligan: “He was very much a people person, taking interest in the lives of others and encouraging them to do well.

“His phone was always ringing and he was always willing to listen and to respect everybody’s opinion before he made a decision.”

South Lanarkshire Council leader Eddie McAvoy said this week that the street name was a “well-deserved honour”.

He added: “Tommy Gilligan was a good councillor and a decent and honest man.

“I always found him to be straightforward and fair.

“I’m very pleased to have him remembered in this way.”