Con O’Leary remembered someone who 'was utterly unique and had a style and substance all of his own'

FORMER Cork City councillor Con O’Leary who passed away this week has been remembered as “a legendary Cork character” in tributes led by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

A much-loved shopkeeper in Gurranabraher for over 50 years, Mr O’Leary was elected to represent the city’s former north-central ward as an Independent councillor in 1991 and 1999.

It is understood that Mr O’Leary fell ill on Friday while holidaying abroad with family members and passed away in hospital a short time later.

Offering his condolences to the O’Leary family, the Lord Mayor said: “On behalf of the people of Cork, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Con’s family, his daughters Lorraine, Tina, Deborah and Aisling, and his grandchildren and friends.

“Con was very active in Cork Corporation, and represented his constituents with much passion, regularly speaking up on several social issues which affected Cork citizens and pushing for positive change.”

He said the Gurranabraher native will “always be known as a legendary Cork character with much wit”, but also as someone whose caring efforts benefitted Gurranabraher and the wider city.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin remembered Mr O’Leary’s “brilliant wit and his dedication and passion for his city” which he said will be sorely missed.

He said he had “very fond memories of serving with Con O’Leary on Cork City Council in the early ’90s”.

“He served his community with great commitment and generosity for half a century.”

Independent councillor Mick Finn said Mr O’Leary was “the essence of what a councillor should be: rooted in and devoted to the community he served”.

“You couldn’t say he was one in a million because he was utterly unique and had a style and substance all of his own,” he said.

“As well as being an astute, cute Corkman, he was also very funny and great company to be in.”

Mr Finn offered his sympathies to his family, and those in the Gurranabraher and northside communities, and his colleagues past and present on Cork City Council.

“While it’s often said, the Irish phrase - ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann - is entirely appropriate for Con,” he said. “A proud son of Cork, may he rest easy now, ‘where the sun sinks by night in the land of the west’.”

Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn described Mr O’Leary as “a beloved figure” in the community and a cherished shop owner who will “forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him”.

“Known for having his fingers on the pulse of local affairs, Con was a true people person.

"His warm demeanour and common touch endeared him to many, transcending the boundaries between public service and personal connections. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time,” he said.

Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins, who knew the O’Leary family well from a young age, said: “I’ve known Con all my life. I was taken aback when I heard the sad news that he passed away. He was a genuine guy who cared for people.

“Con O’Leary is an institution. He got a civic reception last year in recognition of his work. I proposed it to the Lord Mayor. His shop was 50 years in business last year and to stand up against the big multiples like Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl, and Supervalu as a corner shop and to be in business for that length of time is a great achievement.”