‘He fought for his constituents’: Tributes paid to former Sinn Féin Cork county councillor

Tributes have poured in for former Cork county councillor Des O’Grady, who passed away peacefully at Cork University Hospital on Wednesday.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, a former council colleague of Mr O’Grady, paid tribute to him, saying: “From my first day on the council, Des gave me tremendous guidance. I sat beside him every fortnight in Cork County Council. He had great wisdom and was tenacious — he never accepted inadequate answers, was always very well informed, and prepared.

“He fought for his constituents with passion, but also intelligence. He did this without ego or without pretension.

“He taught me a great deal and was a huge support to me at every stage of my career.

“A dedicated and hard-working elected rep, fighting hard for his community.

“He was a passionate republican and socialist activist who was always on the side of the marginalised and oppressed, and to create a better, united Ireland. He was also a proud Barrs man, a talented footballer and hurler, winning several counties and an All-Ireland Club Football Championship in 1980, and occupied several coaching and committee positions in the club.

“He is a huge loss to Sinn Féin in Cork, especially in Ballincollig and East Muskerry, to the Barrs, but most of all to his family — to whom we extend our sincerest condolences.”

Sinn Féin Cork city councillor for the South West ward Joe Lynch told The Echo: “Des was a friend, comrade, and mentor to me for almost 20 years. He was an incredible man, and I will miss him dearly.

“A staunch republican socialist, Des possessed an immense knowledge of Irish history and an unrivalled political compass. He strove in all his endeavours for the betterment of the working class and for a united Ireland.”

Mr Lynch added: “Des gave decades of service to Sinn Féin, most recently serving as the chairperson of the Tom Barry/Leo Murphy cumann in Ballincollig. He also served diligently as a member of Cork County Council from 2014 to 2019.

“His loss will be felt by many. My thoughts are with his wife Maura, his children, grandchildren, and wide circle of comrades and friends at this time.”

The Cork branch of Sinn Féin described him as “a good and decent man”, and “a patriot who was committed to the reunification and freedom of Ireland and all of her people”.

It said: “He spent his entire adult years helping to build and grow Sinn Féin in Cork, particularly in Ballincollig and in the North-West area of the county.”

Mr O’Grady is survived by his wife Maura and children Jimmy, Colm, Trina, and Adrian, as well as sons-in-law John and Fionn, daughters-in-law Fiona and Debbie, grandchildren Richie, Joe, Mikey, Séadna, Ruan, and Katie, brother Donal, and sister Catherine.

Mr O'Grady's funeral will be held on Monday at 1pm at St Oliver’s Cemetery.