'He will be forever remembered': Tributes paid following the death of councillor Gerard Murphy 

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank O'Flynn and the Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan have led tributes to councillor Gerard Murphy following his death. 

Mr Murphy was one of the longest-serving public representatives in Cork County Council and a lifelong community activist, most notably in his hometown of Newmarket.

A proud member of Fine Gael, Mr Murphy was first elected to Council in 1992, serving as Cathaoirleach of Cork County Council from 1995 to 1996. 

In a statement, Mr O'Flynn and Ms O'Sullivan said that Mr Murphy had brought a wealth of experience, and knowledge, particularly in the area of planning and development, and commitment to his role as a representative.

Elected to Dáil Eireann from 2002-2007, where he served as vice-chairman of the Justice and Equality Committee, Cllr Murphy returned to local politics representing Kanturk Mallow Municipal District and the Southern Regional Assembly.

Mr O'Flynn and Ms O'Sullivan noted that Cllr Murphy was a founder member of the IRD Duhallow and supported the establishment of Cultúrlann Newmarket, transforming the former Church into a heritage and cultural centre, and was instrumental in the development, through the securing of grant funding, of the popular walking amenity Island Wood in Newmarket.

"Housing projects, too numerous to mention, had been a key focus for Cllr Murphy, together with supporting various community and sporting groups in the Kanturk and Newmarket electoral areas such as the Newmarket community playground," they added. 

"Cllr Murphy will be deeply missed by the elected members of Kanturk Mallow Municipal District and Cork County Council, the executive and staff of Cork County Council as well as all those who had the pleasure of collaborating with him. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gerard who will be forever remembered."

Speaking to The Echo, Mr O’Flynn, said a ‘huge void’ would be left in Newmarket and in the council chamber following the death of the Fine Gael veteran. 

“I’m very saddened to hear about the passing of Councillor Gerard Murphy, a colleague whom I’d consider a great friend,” said the County Mayor.

Echoing the sentiment of many of his colleagues, Mr O’Flynn said that the Fine Gael councillor had been very helpful since "the very first day I entered the chamber in 1999".

Current Fine Gael TD in Cork North West, Michael Creed, paid tribute to his former late colleague whom he described as a "consummate political tactician".

“He was driven by the pursuit of progress for his constituents, both at a personal and a community level,” said Mr Creed. “He leaves a legacy of achievement that is widely recognised.

“As well as our close political affiliation, Gerard was a personal friend over many years. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to his wife Marian and their family.” 

The late Mr Murphy was 73.

Funeral arrangements for the late Mr Murphy will be announced later but the County Mayor said today that the Council would hold a meeting to honour their departed colleague in Newmarket on the day of the Requiem Mass.

His Fianna Fáil colleague on Cork County Council and Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District Council, Pat Hayes, said that he regarded Mr Murphy as a friend and colleague and recalled that Mr Murphy and his own late father, Joe Hayes, had been great friends as they had both been post-masters.

“It is a great shock to hear of the passing of Councillor Gerard Murphy – he was a great friend and colleague to work with,” said Mr Hayes.

“From the very day, I was elected to Cork County Council, he came and congratulated me, we had a great connection before that because of his friendship with my father.” 

Mr Murphy is survived by his wife Marian and two children, Donncha and Trish, as well as two grandchildren, Ethan and Maya. 

He is also survived by three brothers, Ted, Martin and Joe, and two sisters, Jane, and Sister Margaret, a nun based in the US, who had returned to Cork on Monday to talk with her brother.