Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I want to be included in the sympathy extended to the family of the late Larry McMahon and his colleagues in Fine Gael. I knew Larry. I found him to be a very honest and upright person. My last meeting with him concerned the question of local people in Bohernabreena trying to get housing for their sons and daughters due to the difficulties in obtaining planning permission.

He was very involved through the years and we met at various meetings. He had a vision for the growth of Tallaght. He was one of those who talked in terms of the positive effects of The Square for the people of Tallaght. His work on the school boards of management was remarked to me on several occasions, as was his remarkable level of attendance. Many people who are selected to serve on boards of management, particularly politicians, do not bother to turn up but Larry turned up regularly. I know of one woman who used to telephone the family home and his wife, Ursula, always made sure that Larry attended the meetings. The board of management and the school appreciated this.

I listened to a eulogy from Larry's son at his funeral. He certainly brought his father alive to all who were present in the church that day. We saw another side of Larry as a father. His son told of a visit to East Germany when the Berlin Wall was still up. Larry in his usual manner decided to take photographs, causing uproar at the checkpoint. If I remember correctly, one of the military police stopped Larry and told him he could not take photographs and asked him his name. Larry replied: "An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas?" I thought that story gave another insight into the man. Larry was full of character and wit, a side which might not have been evident to those who met him at meetings. He believed strongly in public service and spent his whole life in the service of those he represented. He will be sadly missed by the people of Tallaght.

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