The former Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Joe (Patrick J.) Cawley, who died at Sligo General Hospital on Monday, has been described as "a political legend and a true gentleman."

Mr. Cawley (72) was first elected to the County Council in 1967 and was Cathaoirleach eight times, serving as Chairman from 1978 to 1983 and again in 1990 and 2003 over a long and distinguished career as a public representative-one of the longest in Europe. He was a member of the Fine Gael party.
The Cathaoirleach of the Council, Councillor Joe Leonard, has led the tributes to Mr. Cawley and said he would be remembered fondly for his sense of fun, quick wit and his self-effacing style.
"Joe Cawley was liked and respected by all sides of the political divide. He gave outstanding service over a long period of time to the people of Tubbercurry and also to Sligo County Council, where he was highly regarded. Joe was a true gentleman who never held a grudge. In his lifetime he made many friends not alone in Sligo, but throughout the country in his role as a public representative," Clr. Leonard said.
The Cathaoirleach added that the Joe Cawley had dealt with his long illness in his own inimitable good-humoured way and with great courage.

"He always looked on life from the positive perspective and he will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. We will remember him for that special wit which was put to good use on many tense occasions at Council meetings over the years. He had the great ability to make the serious seem not so serious and to inject humour at just the right moment," he said.
Mr. Cawley also served on the Board of Governors of University College Dublin, the former County Committee of Agriculture, the Local Health Advisory Committee, the General Council of County Councils, the VEC, the North Western Health Board and the Board of the Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance, Dublin, the agency which provides insurance to all local authorities.
He failed to retain his seat at the local elections in 2004, bringing to an end a thirty-seven year career in public life.
Born in Aclare in February 1939, he later moved to Westmeath. He came back to Sligo for a holiday and ended up buying the hotel premises at Emmett Street, Tubbercurry in 1964 and transformed 'Cawleys' into one of the best known in the region.

While he retired eight years ago, he arguably worked harder than ever thereafter and continued his great interest in his vegetable garden and though not in the political limelight only recently he was on the 'campaign trail' for the Senate elections, accompanying candidate Pat Kennedy on his lobby of local councillors.
Mr. Cawley was a member of Tubbercurry Fire Brigade from 1968 to 1999 and was a founder member of the Tubbercurry hurling club. He featured in defence for the club and also played for Sligo.

Former colleague, Councillor Margaret Gormley said Joe Cawley was a well respected public representative who had served with great distinction.
Councillor Jerry Lundy said Mr. Cawley's death marked the passing of a political legend, especially in south Sligo.
At Monday night's meeting of Sligo Borough Council, a vote of smypathy was passed to the family of the late Clr. Cawley. Councillors also paid tribute to the late councillor for his long service as a public representative.
Proposing the vote of smypathy, the Mayor, Clr. Matt Lyons, pointed out that Clr. Cawley, who was predeceased last year by his wife, Jean, was former Chairman of Sligo County Council on many occasions.
Seconding the proposal, Clr. Declan Bree said Clr. Cawley had served for 37 years as a member of Sligo County Council up to 2004.
"I think it's safe to say he was one of the most popular members of Sligo County Council," Clr. Bree said.
Clr. Sean MacManus said he had the pleasure of having been a member of Sligo County Council with Joe Cawley.
"He was an absolute gentleman. He didn't try to score political points. He was a friendly, outgoing, decent man," Clr. MacManus said.

Other councillors associated themselves with the vote of sympathy after which a moment's silence was observed.
Mr. Cawley is survived by his daughters, Teresa, Patricia, Maria and Olivia; sons Joseph and Gerard; sisters Kathleen, Helen and Angela and brothers Brendan and Gerard.

- Courtesy of The Sligo Champion, April 20th , 2011 Tweet

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