Dempsey, Paddy
January 10, 2008
Area mourns former councillor
The death occurred suddenly of former County Councillor Paddy Dempsey of Mirah, Turloughmore and Cregboy, Claregalway . His untimely and unexpected death came as a great shock to his family, friends and neighbours on New Year's Day.
Paddy Dempsey was a popular and respected figure in the community and was highly regarded in the insurance business. Paddy worked for several insurance companies over many years as a salesman and later as inspector and was highly regarded as one of the experts within the insurance business in his era. Paddy travelled not alone throughout County Galway but throughout the West of Ireland in the Insurance business.
He played an active role in Turloughmore Hurling Club and served as secretary of the club for many years. Paddy was actively involved in the amalgamation of Turloughmore Hurling club in the mid-fifties which led to the first time that all of the parish played together as a unit and the club had immediate success winning the Galway Senior Hurling Championship in 1956.
Paddy also played a leading role in starting up the famous trips to Tubbercurry in Sligo, when Turloughmore would travel to play Tubbercurry and after the sudden and untimely death of Johnny Mullins in Tubbercurry at one of these games, the famous Johnny Mullins Tournament was started that became a feature of Turloughmore and Tubbercurry Hurling for over the next three decades and sadly participation of this tournament ceased in the last decade. It was only fitting that Turloughmore Hurling club would provide a guard of honour at body days of his funeral.
Paddy was always actively involved in politics and was a staunch Republican. In his early years held an interest in Sinn Fein and would be selling the Easter Lillies on Easter Sunday displaying his nationalist interests. He later joined Fianna Fail and held many administrative positions within the party organisation. Paddy was co-opted as a member of Galway County Council he was highly respected and did much work for the people in the community. It was fitting that members of the Fianna Fail organisation would provide a guard of honour as his remains were brought to the church. Paddy and Marie were blessed with five children and Paddy was hugely proud of the achievements of their distinguished Irish dancing and the progression that they made in their careers. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
The remains of Paddy Dempsey were removed from Lackage Mortuary Chapel to the Church of Our Lady of Knock, Lackagh. Following con-celebrated Requiem Mass, where Fr John D Flannery, PP Lackagh was joined by Fr Noel Mullin, PP Claregalway, Fr Gus O'Brien, Ballinfoile and Fr R Gallagher, Dungloe, burial took place in Claregalway Cemetery.
Paddy is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Surney, Fiona, Ethna and Aoife, son Evin brother Martin, sisters Teresa and Peggy, grandchildren Arron, Roan and Kitty, father-in-law Martin Boyle, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.
- Courtesy of the Tuam Herald, 10th January 2008
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