LIMERICK county councillors paid special tribute this week to their friend and former colleague Peadar Clohessy who died last Sunday at Milford Hospice after a long illness.
At a special meeting in County Hall on Tuesday, Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Sheahan extended the council’s condolences to the former Limerick East TD’s sons Andrew, Patrick and Michael, and daughters Alice, Margaret and Sinead.
Peadar, a native of Fanningstown, Crecora, was first elected to the Dáil as a Fianna Fáil candidate in 1981. The highly-esteemed 79-year-old Limerick politician and farmer went on to join the Progressive Democrats and served as a TD for the party from 1987 to 1997 when he bowed out of national politics.
The Tricolour flew at half mast over County Hall this Tuesday as a mark of respect for the former council member and Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.
Cllr Noel Gleeson (FF), who campaigned with and against Mr Clohessy over the years, remembered him as “a decent man” and said he was “very friendly”.
Cllr Brigid Teefy (IND) hailed him as a “great voice for his community”.
“Peadar came from a strong traditional family synonymous with politics and GAA. He was a gentleman always in his manner,” said Cllr Teefy.
Cllr Mary Jackman (FG) told council members how Clohessy had been an “enormous influence” on her.
“Peadar was part and parcel of life in Fedamore. He was extremely wise, unflappable, a man with great vision and very kind. He never let anyone down and always gave a lot of advice in his own quiet way. He epitomised everything I’d look for in a politician and a human being,” she said.
Cllr Kevin Sheahan (FF) remembered Peadar for his “natural kindness” and “hospitality” and described has a “quiet dignified man”.
Cllr Tomas Hannon (Lab) described the East Limerick man as “a very hard-working councillor representing rural Ireland“.
Cllr Liam Galvin (FF) said: “He was a great politician, farmer and GAA man; three great assets any man or woman can have in society.”
County manager Conn Murray said that while he didn’t know Peadar Clohessy, he was aware of the high esteem in which he was held.
Meanwhile, former Minister and MEP Tom O’Donnell, a personal friend and Dáil colleague of Peadar Clohessy for many years, said this week that he was deeply saddened by his death.
“I always held Peadar in the highest esteem, both as a person and as a public representative, and had the privilege of enjoying a very warm friendship with him, even though we were in different political parties. I always found him an absolute gentleman, and deeply committed to the welfare of his family, his native county and his country. His record as a county councillor and as a Dáil deputy has been outstanding,” said O’Donnell.
The former TD was laid to rest this Tuesday at New Cemetery in Fedamore after Funeral Mass at Fedamore Church.
