'Always putting people first': Tánaiste leads tributes to late Councillor Noreen McGarvey

Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has led the tributes to Donegal County Councillor Noreen McGarvey, who has died.

Councillor McGarvey, a native of Burtonport, passed away on Thursday.

She was active in Fianna Fáil in west Donegal since 1999.

Having worked closely for almost 20 years with Pat The Cope Gallagher during his terms as a TD and MEP, she was elected as a County Councillor in 2019.

Ms McGarvey worked in The Cope’s constituency office before entering active politics herself in 2019.

“I am very sorry to learn of the death of my friend, fellow party member and councillor, Noreen McGarvey,” Mr Martin said.

“In that time, she was an integral part of community and political life in South Donegal.

“Noreen was passionate about helping to improve people’s lives in south Donegal and latterly in the Glenties LEA.

“She cared deeply about people and was a conscientious and caring public representative, always putting people and their concerns first.”

In the six-seater Glenties LEA, Ms McGarvey polled 1,018 first preference votes in 2019. In September, she was named as the chairperson of the committee for the newly-opened Ard an Aonaigh Close Residences, Fair Hill, Dungloe.

Mr Martin said: “Noreen was one of our first-time councillors elected in 2019.

“She was a true community champion and as one of our councillors was an important voice within the party along with her community and county.

“Noreen was a proud Burtonport woman and loved the Irish language. She was a long-time and valued member of Fianna Fáil.

“On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil organisation, I offer my deepest sympathy to Noreen’s family, her daughter Amy, Father Séamus, Mother Susie, Brother Declan and Sisters Collette and Debbie and the wider McGarvey family.”