Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy

 

4:00 pm

Photo of James CarrollJames Carroll (Fianna Fail)

My first memory of the late Senator Kieran Phelan was when I was a parliamentary assistant to Deputy Margaret Conlon from Monaghan and Senator Wilson, the late Senator Kieran Phelan, the Minister of State, Deputy Maloney, took Margaret under their wings. That meant such a huge amount to Deputy Conlon, as a brand new TD in here in 2007. Senator Feeney was such a great source of support to Deputy Conlon also. I remember on a few occasions I was in the office when a call would come from the late Senator Kieran Phelan, and I never knew who this man was. But when I got in here 11 months ago, I certainly found out who he was.

It was a sad 24 hours before Kieran passed away. I sat in beside him and I told him that Louth were playing Longford the following Sunday in the first round of the championship and I wanted to get an advertisement into the programme, and asked would he know anybody on the county board who could help me. He said he would get a name for me and within two hours he rang giving me a name. I got the advertisement in and I remember I wrote a card to the man who had helped me get it in at the last minute, stating, "Kieran says hello". Sadly, within 12 or 14 hours Margaret rang me to say that Kieran had passed away. I met Margaret that morning and saw the tears in her eyes. We went into the Cathaoirleach's office. When I came in here I thought the Cathaoirleach was a man of steel and to see a tear in his eye was very sad. Those are the memories I have of Kieran.

I also remember going to Rathdowney and seeing the huge crowd that was there. It is a credit to see his wife, family and all the Members of the House here and the message they are sending out. May he rest in peace. His memory will never be forgotten in this House and he will not be forgotten by his family and friends.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.