Sad passing occurs of Donegal-born former Lord Mayor of Dublin
Former Labour Party TD Michael Conaghan dies at the age of 81
A Donegal native who became Lord Mayor of Dublin and a Labour Party TD has died at the age of 81.
Michael Conaghan, of Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, but late of Calhame, Donegal, passed peacefully at Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin.
Mr Conaghan, who was born in Letterkenny, served 20 years as a councillor on Dublin City Council, representing the Ballyfermot ward, before he was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin in 2004 and then elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for Dublin South Central in 2011, serving one term.
A teacher by profession, Mr Conaghan was Vice-Principal of Inchicore College of Further Education.
Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik TD has expressed her deepest sympathies. She said: “On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife Marian, their daughters Heidi and Eve, extended family, many friends, colleagues, former students and constituents on his death.
“While originally from Donegal, Michael had a long and distinguished record in public service, serving the people of Ballyfermot, Inchicore and surrounding communities as their local Councillor, and then going on to be elected as a TD for Dublin South Central in 2011 before stepping down in 2016.
“Michael came to join the Labour Party in 1990 through the merger with the Democratic Socialist Party, then led by Jim Kemmy. Throughout his political career, he was an ardent champion of real Labour values.”
She concluded: “He was also renowned and respected for his interest in local history and the industrial heritage of his community. As a member of the first Oireachtas all-party group on commemorations, one of his greatest political achievements was securing the preservation of Richmond Barracks as a cultural and educational hub for the people of the South-West Inner City and beyond, in the run-up to the centenary of 1916.
“May he rest in peace.”
The Funeral Service to remember Michael Conaghan’s life will take place on Saturday, August 8, at the Ballyfermot Civic Community Centre at 11am and afterwards at Goldenbridge Cemetery.
He was pre-deceased by his brothers Patsy and Bernard, and sadly missed by his heartbroken family, loving wife Marian, daughters Heidi and Eve, adored grandchildren Sam and Ben, sisters Mary, Patricia, Angela and Susanna, sons-in-law Chris and Nollaig, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and large circle of friends.