Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all Tom's friends and relations who are in the Gallery. In the university Senators' offices we have a fantastic connection with the Kingdom. These insights into Tom Fitzgerald come from Seamus, Dónal, Joe, Aoife, Frank and Norah. They said his character was moulded by two very strong women - his mother, Nell Brien, and his wife, Bridie. He was a strong republican who was proud of coming from the same town as Tomás Ashe, Lispole. As we have heard, he was an expert on the marine, very popular and a man of great heart.

The story goes, and ní dóigh liom go bhfuil sé fíor, Bridie, that after he was appointed to the censorship board, somebody called to the house and asked, "An bhfuil Tom istigh?" to which Bridie replied, "Tá sé ag féachaint ar na salachaí." We will have to check whether that story is true. B'fhéidir go bhfuil sé fíor. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.