Tributes paid after death of former mayor of Fermoy

The mayor of Co Cork has led tributes to Michael J Hanley, the former mayor of Fermoy, who has passed away at the age of 84.

Mr Hanley, who had been ill for some time, died on Saturday morning in Fermoy Hospital, surrounded by his family.

First elected as a Fine Gael candidate to the then Fermoy Urban District Council in 1985, Mr Hanley soon parted ways with the party. He was re-elected as an Independent in every subsequent election until 2014, retiring from politics at the abolition of town councils.

He served as mayor of Fermoy Town Council from 2011 to 2013.

Mr Hanley was a successful newsagent whose Pearse Square shop became synonymous with Fermoy. He bought the business in 1974, and made it a cornerstone of business and social life in the town.

He retired from the business in 2017, when his son Justin bought the shop.

Serving for many years as the chair of Fermoy Enterprise Board, Mr Hanley is remembered for playing a major role in bringing employers such as Sanmina SCI and MetLife to Fermoy at a time of nationally high unemployment.

The mayor of Co Cork, Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley, said Mr Hanley had given many years of dedicated service to his community and had been a dedicated and outspoken advocate for local issues and civic life.

“He will be remembered for his strong connection to Fermoy and his enduring contribution to public service in the area,” she said.

“Michael served his community with great dedication and pride, particularly during his time as mayor of Fermoy. He was highly regarded locally and made a meaningful contribution to public life.” 

Cork County Council chief executive  Moira Murrell said Mr Hanley’s long-standing commitment to Fermoy, both in public life and in business, reflected his deep connection to the town.

Noel McCarthy, a Fine Gael TD for Cork East, said the town owed a great debt to Mr Hanley.

“I served with Michael in the town council from 2009 to 2014, and he was an excellent councillor and a very esteemed mayor who always put Fermoy first,” Mr McCarthy said.

“He always, always fought hard to make the town a better place.

“He had his moments, and I had my moments with Michael, but I always had huge admiration for him and that never changed.

“He always had the best interests of Fermoy at heart, and I think the success of the town is his legacy.” 

County councillor Frank O’Flynn said Mr Hanley had been a pioneering businessman who had worked hard for his town.

“He was a very strong advocate of putting structures in place for bringing business into Fermoy, playing a major part in bringing many jobs to the town; and he was a very strong advocate for Fermoy as a good place to live, work, and bring up a family,” he said.

John Murphy, who was initially a Fianna Fáil town councillor and later an Independent, said he and Mr Hanley had served together on the town council “for many, many years”.

“He was all about the good of the town, and he worked hard for that,” he said.

“We didn’t always see eye-to-eye on everything, but we did work together, and all for the good of the town.

“I’ll miss him, and my thoughts are with his family at what is a sad time for the town.” Mr Hanley was predeceased by his son Stuart, and is survived by his wife Fran, his children Estefani, Siobhan, Justin, Colin, Michael David, his extended family, and a wide circle of friends.

Reposing at Ronayne’s Funeral Home, Lower Patrick St, Fermoy, with visitation from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday, May 3, followed by removal to St Patrick’s Church Fermoy.

Mr Hanley’s requiem Mass will be held at 2pm on Monday, with burial afterwards in Kilcrumper new cemetery.