One of Ballinhassig's most popular figures, Mr Tom Buttimer, passed away peacefully at the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork on Good Friday. A Fianna Fail stalwart, the former dairy farmer and former chairman of the local IFA organisation, held a number of high-profile positions both at local and national level in the party, including secretary of the local Ballinhassig Cumann, and chairman of the Donagh De Barra Comhairle Ceantair from 1974 to 1981. Mr Buttimer was appointed the first chairman of Cork South Central Comhairle Ceantair in 1967 and was also a member of the National Fianna Fail Executive in the early 80s.
A regular speaker at the annual Fianna Fail Ard Fheis, Mr Buttimer had perfected his talent for public speaking as a member of the Cork Toastmasters in the 60s and 70s. However, it was the Ballinhassig man's organisational skills at election time that will be best remembered, acting as an election agent on a number of occasions for local and national polls as well as being appointed director of elections in 1981 for the Cork South Central Constituency. Former Dail deputy, Mr Barry Cogan paid tribute to the part Mr Buttimer played as his election agent in 1977, when the Carrigaline man was elected to the Dail, describing Mr Buttimer as a very diligent individual.
In addition to his participation in politics, Mr Buttimer had a keen interest in Gaelic games holding the position of secretary of Ballinhassig GAA for a number of years as well as being a selector with the famed Blues club on several occasions. Outside of his interests in field sports, Mr Buttimer had been chairman of the Boxing Federation in Cork in the 60s and had brought many exciting fight cards to Leeside during his tenure. Mr Buttimer was laid to rest in Ballinaboy cemetery on Monday last after Requiem Mass in the Mountain Church.

- Courtesy of Southern Star 30th April 2011 Tweet

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