Taoiseach leads tributes to Danny Wallace, former lord mayor of Cork and northside TD

The Taoiseach has led tributes to former lord mayor and Cork North Central TD Dan Wallace, who has passed away at the age of 82.

Mr Wallace was first elected for Fianna Fáil in the local elections of 1979, representing the Cork City North-West ward in the then Cork Corporation, and he went on to serve as lord mayor from 1985 to 1986.

First elected to Dáil Éireann for Cork North Central in the November 1982 general election, he topped the poll, and was re-elected to Dáil Éireann in every subsequent election until he retired in 2007, serving almost 25 years in Leinster House.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of someone who “was not just a valued colleague but a cherished friend”.

“Throughout his career, Dan was a tireless advocate for the people of the northside of Cork city. His passion for serving his people was unwavering, and he fought relentlessly to improve their lives,” he said.

Mr Martin said that on a personal level he would miss Mr Wallace greatly.

“As a young student, during the three general elections of the 1981-1982 period, I canvassed with Dan throughout Farranree, Gurranabraher and Blackpool.

“I remember well the mixed grills that Ethel had ready for us when canvassing ended. I learned so much about the nuts and bolts of electoral politics from those days and from Dan.” Since becoming Fianna Fáil leader, Mr Martin said, Mr Wallace had encouraged him greatly and would text him advice on a regular basis.

“He knew my late father Paddy well as they both lived in Farranree,” he said.

"Beyond his many political achievements, those of us who had the privilege to work alongside him will always remember his quick wit, his warmth, and the great sense of humour that made him such a pleasure to serve with.

“He personified the decency, good nature and fighting spirit of the north side of Cork.

"My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him,” Mr Martin said.

In February 1992, taoiseach Albert Reynolds appointed Mr Wallace Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, where he served until January 1993.

It was during Mr Wallace’s term as junior minister that, with the Electoral Act 1992, the law was changed to ban canvassing outside polling stations on the day of an election.

In July 1997, taoiseach Bertie Ahern appointed him Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, where he served until June 2002.

A former sacristan in the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Mr Wallace had worked as a clerk with the Ford Motor Company before becoming a full-time public representative.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, offered his condolences to Mr Wallace’s family and friends on his passing.

“Danny served as a councillor on the then Cork Corporation from 1979 until 1992 and was elected lord mayor in 1985.

“Danny was instrumental in the developmental of our sister city relationship with San Francisco; a relationship that has flourished for over 40 years,” Mr Boyle said.

“My condolences to Danny’s wife Ethel, his children Damien, Fiona, Kieran, Nicola and Andrea.” Valerie O’Sullivan, chief executive of Cork City Council, said Mr Wallace’s passing was a great loss to the city.

“A proud son of the North Mon and Cork city, Danny was a positive advocate for the city, both in his time as a city councillor, as a Cork North Central TD and Minister of State.

“My personal condolences to Danny’s family,” Ms. O’Sullivan said.

Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, said Mr Wallace had made a huge contribution to life in Cork and he would be greatly missed by all who knew him.

“You could not meet a more honourable, decent and hard-working member of Fianna Fáil and TD, and I was privileged to have known Danny for the bones of 20 years,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Danny represented Cork North Central with great distinction and I’m very proud to try and follow in his footsteps.” 

Mr Wallace’s son Damian also served as lord mayor, from 1999 to 2000, something which friends said had meant the world to Mr Wallace Sr.

“It was a source of great pride to Dan and the family that he and his son Damian had both been lord mayor of Cork,” Fianna Fáil councilor Mary Rose Desmond said.

“A very proud northsider, a very proud Corkman he was a very unassuming, quiet and very humble man who was nevertheless not to be underestimated, he was a force to be reckoned with.” 

Former lord mayor Tony Fitzgerald said Mr Wallace’s achievements both locally and nationally had been enormous.

“Danny has left a legacy of huge contribution to Cork and to the country and he’ll be sadly missed by his family and by a large circle of friends and particularly within the Fianna Fáil party,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Former lord mayor and Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher said he was very saddened to hear of Mr Wallace’s passing.

“Dan was a stalwart of politics nationally and here in Cork and he’s a massive loss to the city, and my heart goes out to his family at this very sad time,” he said.

Mr Wallace is survived by his wife Ethel, his sons Damian and Kieran, daughters Fiona, Nicola, and Andrea, his grandchildren and wider family.

The Lord Mayor will open a book of condolences at 1.30pm in City Hall tomorrow, Tuesday.