Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Martin in extending my sympathy, and that of the Labour Party, to the Clohessy family on the death of Peadar. The first thing to say about the late Peadar Clohessy is that he exemplified what is best in public representatives across the political divide in the context of his genuine commitment to serving his community and to doing his best for the people he represented. It was well known that people could come to the home of the late Peadar and Jean Clohessy at any time and that, regardless of their backgrounds or their problems, the door was open to them and they received a warm reception. That was the kind of service Peadar provided for a quarter of a century as a member of Limerick County Council and for over 11 years as a Member of this House.

I came to know Peadar during the course of several elections. I stood for my first general election in 1992 but I had met him previously as a result of our both being local representatives in Limerick. I witnessed at first hand the fact that he was a gentleman and that he was somebody for whom public service was a service to the people rather than about being for personal gain. He was rooted in his local community in Fedamore but also in the wider county of Limerick. His commitment to the GAA, traditional music, culture and the people around him was very evident and strong.

He was also a man of principle and when the decision had to be made and he helped to form the Progressive Democrats, he made that decision, difficult as it was, and served his new party in the House as assistant Government Whip with great dedication and in the constituency also. He was a gentleman to his fingertips and someone whom people always enjoyed meeting and for whom they had a strong affection, no matter what their political affiliation. I join other Members in extending sympathy to Andrew, Patrick, Michael, Alice, Margaret and Sinead, the grandchildren and other family members in the Visitors Gallery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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