Large crowds attended the funeral services of former town councillor Tommy O’Connell over the weekend. The town was shocked and saddened on Friday 23rd as news spread that the popular and outspoken personality had died suddenly aged 66, at Cork University Hospital.  Mr. O’Connell had battled against illness for some months but his indomitable spirit and joie de vivre had never diminished.

Tommy’s passing came only days after his official letter of resignation on health grounds had been read to September’s town council meeting. The members in turn paid tribute to him and it is without doubt that he would have expressed a wry if good-humoured response the words of endearment from colleagues with whom he would never shirk from crossing swords if the occasion demanded it.

Tommy O’Connell first served as a Youghal Sinn Féin councillor in 1974, before resigning from the party four years later. He topped the poll as an Independent in 1979, joined Labour in 1981 and was re-elected under that party‘s banner in 1985. However he resigned from local politics a year later when his family emigrated to London for some years. In October 2010 he was co-opted onto Youghal Town Council a replacement for Labour colleague Donie Daly who resigned in controversial circumstances when the monthly council meetings were re-scheduled for Tuesday mornings. That co-option was withdrawn by the Labour party on protocol and procedural grounds. The councillor had to wait until the following February to be officially re-instated.

Humour

Tommy’s council chamber jousts with opposing views and factions were never shirked or half-hearted but his honesty and conviction inevitably earned the respect of friend and foe alike. Equally, regardless of the intensity of a political argument, he never carried his gripe into the personal domain and within minutes of a council meeting. A man blessed with a wonderful and mischievous sense of humour, he would engage in friendly chat and banter over a post-meeting cup of tea with all and sundry.

Mr. O’Connell’s contribution to the council stretched far beyond independence of mind and individual pursuit. His love for Youghal and its people was consistent and deep and he applied insight, reasoning and intelligence to that commitment.

Ever capable of fashioning a new initiative, Tommy frequently shone light on dark areas of economic and political stagnation. In recent times he advanced two prominent proposals to benefit the town. He sought a feasibility study into the re-introduction of drift net salmon fishing. He also proposed 50% rent & rate reductions for new businesses ion premises that had been idle for two years or more, which is the subject of on-going consideration by the town council and the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
The many who mourn his passing will remember Tommy O’Connell with a fondness that was well-earned and deserved in a community from which he asked for little and to whom he gave a lot. May he rest in peace; preferably of course with a fresh pint amongst former colleagues and friends who had pre- deceased him!