Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Quinn family and am thankful for the opportunity to pay tribute to Feargal Quinn. In a situation like this, I am most envious of my colleagues for the way they can speak most eloquently here in the Chamber about Feargal Quinn. I am really envious because I never met him. However, I had a special interaction with him about 25 years ago. I ask Senators to cast their minds back a few decades to the old shop in Dublin, which would have a grocery part and a post office. I married into such a family business. It was the time when there was a counter with about half a dozen people working behind it who would serve bread, particularly in the poor area where the shop I am thinking of was located. It sold lots of bread, margarine and things that would fill up children in the area.

The shop evolved, particularly when my husband took over. It became one of those £5 shopping basket shops. Supermarkets were around at that time but people started to have cars so they could travel to different supermarkets around the city. Our business went down with each passing week. I remember having the bright idea of writing to Feargal Quinn to ask for his advice on what we should do. I was more than surprised when I got a letter back from him. It was an A4 handwritten letter. He also included a copy of his book. I have no recollection of what he wrote in that letter. All I can remember is the pride and astonishment I felt at getting that letter from such a man. It was pinned up on our staff notice board until it curled and became yellow. Even though I probably did not follow any of his advice, I had to say that this highlighted the person he was. He took time out for people like me, a nobody. We were just one of the crowd yet he wrote to me in person. It was such a lovely gesture that has remained with me all my life. I will always try to make time for people like he did.

When my father died, I was hungry for stories about him so that his memory would not only stay alive for me but I would learn about aspects of him I probably never knew. I hope the stories Feargal Quinn's family have heard today will bring them solace.