THE former Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Mary Harty, passed away on Wednesday, August 27 in her home surrounded by her family.
Mary, from Nicker, Pallasgreen, was in her mid fifties and had been battling Motor Neuron Disease since 2012.
Only last week, she took part in an ice bucket challenge along with some 60 other people in her home to raise awareness of the disease.
Mary was diagnosed with MND in 2012 when she was still serving as Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council; she retired from the council earlier this year due to her condition, which had left her wheelchair-bound and unable to speak.
The former Fine Gael councillor also taught at Nicker National School for more than 30 years and retired late last year.
Mary was the third female Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council when she was elected in 2011; she was first elected to the council in 1999 and retained her seat until her retirement.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the county.
The current Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, described Mary as a warm person and a wonderful politician “who bore her illness with great bravery, calmness and dignity”.
“Sadly, we lost Mary far too young. It is so poignant that she lost her battle against Motor Neuron Disease this week when there’s a huge campaign underway raise awareness of this terrible disease. Despite her illness, Mary still turned up to all council meetings right to the very end.”
The Fianna Fáil councillor added: “I would like to offer my sincere sympathies to her family on behalf of myself and the elected members, management and staff of Limerick City and County Council.”
A special meeting of the council will be held in the coming days to allow members to pay tribute to Mary.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan expressed his sympathies to Mary’s sisters Carmel and Siobhán and her brother Eamonn.
He said: “Mary was a close personal friend. She was a very warm, caring person and these attributes were the hallmark of her political career, her career as a teacher and her relationship with her family and friends.”
Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell said Mary was a very capable person, who “represented the interests of her people with great skill and dedication”.
“She was a rock within her community and a source of great strength for all. The way that she faced her illness was inspiring to all of us who knew her. She was deeply respected by her colleagues in politics across Limerick and beyond. Her passing will be deeply felt by the wider Fine Gael family,” added Deputy O’Donnell.
Fellow Limerick Fine Gael TD Dan Neville said Mary’s tenure as Cathaoirleach was described by colleagues and council officials as “distinguished”.
He continued: “Mary worked tirelessly for her constituents and many of them who have contacted my constituency office have spoken of Mary’s ability always to have time to listen to people and take on board their needs and do whatever was in her power to assist them.”
The late Mary Harty will be reposing at her home this Thursday August 28 from 4pm to 8pm; requiem mass will be held at Nicker Church this Friday August 29 at 11am.
