Tributes paid to former deputy mayor of Limerick
Sadness as former Fine Gael councillor Denis McCarthy passes away
WARM tributes have been paid to former Fine Gael councillor Denis McCarthy who has passed away following a brief illness.
Based in Corbally, but originally hailing from Broadford, the father-of-three, was elected in City East as part of the Fine Gael surge at the 2009 local election.
With his party dominating the old City Council, he was elected as deputy mayor at the first meeting, serving under another former councillor, Kevin Kiely.
A former worker at the Department of Finance, he narrowly missed out on the job of being the final mayor of Limerick before the council's merged in 2014, when he was edged out by Independent Kathleen Leddin.
The current priomh chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Dan McSweeney led tributes to his party colleague.
"Always a thorough gentleman, Denis represented the people of his area with great enthusiasm and lived in Corbally for many years. Prior to his election to Limerick City Council, Denis worked at the Department of Agriculture and had a great love of farming. A native of West Limerick he was a constant visitor to his beloved Broadford," said Cllr McSweeney.
On behalf of himself and the elected members of the current council, he extended his deepest sympathy to his three children, relatives and friends.
Mr Kiely, who Mr McCarthy served under described him as a "thorough gentleman."
"He always did his duty as deputy mayor. He carried them out in a very professional way. The functions I could not go to, I appointed Denis to look after these for me. He wouid do a lot of research on what the function was, who he would be meeting. He'd always prepare his few words. I'd always enquire afterwards, and everybody at these functions was very happy with him. They always remarked he had a great insight," said Cllr Kiely.
One of Mr McCarthy's passions during his five years in office was the regeneration areas, said Mr Kiely.
"He took a special interest due to the lack of facilities and amenities at the time, and he always wanted to help these areas. He worked hard to ensure his promises would be fulfilled," added the former mayor.
Mr McCarthy failed to hold onto his seat in 2014 in the newly-expanded northside ward which covered Corbally.
It came after his party fell victim to a voter backlash around water charges. Five years later, he made one final attempt to win a council seat, but was again unsuccessful.
Mr McCarthy passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 27, at the intensive care unit in University Hospital Limerick.
He is dearly missed by sons Donogh and Colum, daughter Ann Marie, partner Marion, daughters in law Jane and Kate, grandchildren Conor, Lucy, Liam, Sean, Aidan, Cathal, Darragh and Aisling, former wife Ann, his nieces, nephews and sisters in law, especially Kay, Mary and Anne McCarthy, Lisnafulla. He was predeceased by his five brothers, Cathal, PJ, Con, Jim and Jerry.
He will repose at Sextons Funeral Home in Broadford, P56-PK73, this Monday evening until 8pm.
Removal afterwards to Our Lady Of The Snows Church, Broadford.
His requiem Mass takes place Tuesday, July 30, at 12:30pm.
He will be laid to rest afterwards in Springfield Cemetery, Broadford.
May he rest in peace.