Tributes paid to popular councillor

Tributes have been paid to the former mayor of Letterkenny Tadhg Culbert who passed away yesterday at the age of 57.

The Fianna Fail councillor passed away in the Donegal Hospice yesterday morning after an illness. The Tipperary native had lived in Letterkenny since he came to work in the town's post office in 1973. He was elected to Letterkenny Urban District Council in the 1980s as an Independent Fianna Fail councillor and spent two years as an independent before he joined Fianna Fail. He lost his seat in 1999 and returned to the council in 2005, serving as mayor in 2010 when the town celebrated its 400th anniversary.

He was well known in sporting circles for his involvement with St. Eunan's GAA club, Letterkenny Rovers Football Club and as a hurling player for St. Eunan's and Donegal.

Former Donegal North East TD Dr. Jimmy McDaid led the tributes yesterday to his "great friend". He said loyalty and friendship were the words that came to mind when he thought of Cllr.Culbert. "He was always there fronting at the post office and everyone loved him," he said. "He had a great sense of humour. He was that big affable type of person. He loved politics and the cut and thrust of politics."

Mayor of Letterkenny Dessie Larkin described him as an excellent public representative who always followed what he believed in. He said Cllr. Culbert had been receiving representations from people up to a few weeks ago. "That was a reflection of the man who had given his life to representing his adopted county. He was a very nice fella and you
were always assured of a laugh." During his time as mayor of Letterkenny in 2010 arid 2011 he had excelled in the role, he said. "He did not miss an event. He tirelessly dedicated himself in that year to uplifting the role of mayor and the prestige it was held in."

Senator Jimmy Harte described him as enthusiastic and hanTworking. "He will be missed by his family and the public who knew him as a councillor and a popular member of the An Post staff in Letterkenny. He was active in sporting circles and was a prominent member of Letterkenny Rovers. The town council has lost a valuable member and his
family has lost a fine and well respected

Sinn fein councillor Gerry McMonagle said Cllr. Coulbert was loved by everyone in Letterkenny. "It is a very sad moment for the town and for the concil," he said ."We were from different political backgrounds but that was never a blockage between us. All he was interested in was helping the people of the town and in developing the town.

The Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin said CUr. Culbert was was a valued and active member of the Fianna Fail organisation in Letterkenny. "He was deeply involved in his community and will be remembered for his strong and unwavering commitment to the people he was elected to represent," he said.

Cllr. Culbert played hurling with St. Eunan's GAA club in the town and PRO of the club Paul McGovern said he had immersed himself in Letterkenny when he moved here 40 years ago. "Tadhg was always a generous contributor to St. Eunan's GAA club from his council bursaries and his unwavering support, and that of his colleagues on Letterkenny Town Council in our recent boundary dispute will long be remembered by our club. He was a good friend, and I will never forget him. I will remember him with a smile on his face."

Chairman of Letterkenny Rovers, Dessie Kelly, said Cllr. Culbert was a very valuable member of the club which he started following in the 1990s and had served as its vice chair. "He was a very able soccer person and a very valued member of Letterkenny Rovers. He was very humorous, very sharp and quick twitted. Everyone in Letterkenny Rovers loved him because he never had any harsh words to say to anyone and could diffuse a situation with a witty remark. We will miss him as a person and a member and wUl always remember the years he served as vice chair."

Former Letterkenny councillor, PJ Blake, served on the local authority with Tadhg for many years. "I was very saddened to learn of Tadhg's death earlier today," he said yesterday. "Despite his illness, Tadhg remained in good spirits and I suppose that is a real mark of the man.

"He was part and parcel of the town and served the people he represented so well down the years. I extend my sympathy to his family in Letterkenny and Tipperary. I'm glad to say I have many good memories of Tadhg who was a good and loyal friend," he added.

Fianna Fail MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher said he was saddened by Cllr. Culbert's death.Senator Brian O Domhnaill described' him as a personable, affable and likeable gentleman. Cllr. Culbert is survived by his wife Hilda, and children Andrew and Lisa. His remains were removed from the Donegal Hospice last night to be waked at his wife's home at The Croft. He is to be laid to rest on Saturday following Requiem Mass at St. Eunan's Cathedral at 11am.

Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat Tweet

Most Read Stories