'A sad day for Youghal': Tributes paid to former Cork councillor following his death 

Tributes have been paid today to former Sinn Féin county councillor and Youghal Town Council member Martin Hallinan following news of his passing.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and in the care of the staff at St Catherine's ward in the Mercy University Hospital.

Mr Hallinan, formerly of Easkey, Sligo, became the first member of Sinn Féin to take a seat on the council since the 1920s when he was elected in 2004.

He was well known for his public contributions to Youghal and surrounds, and is remembered fondly by friends, family and fellow colleagues.

“I was very sad to hear the news,” said Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley.

“I worked with Martin for 15 years in the town council in Youghal. It’s a sad day for Youghal and the community because he was one of the best public representative that I knew.

“When I was starting off back in the day he was always very helpful, very courteous and nice.

“He served Youghal and the surrounds so well,” she said. 

“I would like to pass on my condolences to his family, and I would like to thank him for his service.” 

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that he was “very sad” to hear of Mr Hallinan’s passing, and that the former councillor was “a life long, stalwart republican, and a true gentleman” in a post shared on X.

Mr Hallinan will repose at Egan's Funeral Home in Greencloyne, Youghal, on Thursday evening, from 5.30pm until 7pm.

A Requiem Mass will take then place on April 26 at 10am in The Church of the Holy Family, on Magners Hill in Youghal, followed by his burial in North Abbey Cemetery.