Passing of former Mayor Brendan casts a shadow over the county town
TRIBUTES are being paid to a former Mayor of Castlebar, Brendan Henaghan, who has died at the age of 53.
Mr. Henaghan, one of the town's most popular personalities, became ill at his home in Snugboro on Sunday night and passed away earlier today at Mayo University Hospital.
The news has come as a stunning blow to the community.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Tom, Colm and John, mother Carmel, mother-in-law Ester, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.
A member of the local Fine Gael party, he served as a member of Castlebar Town Council from 2003 to 2014, the year town councils were disbanded.
He was first co-oped to the authority in the autumn of 2003 in place of Senator Paddy Burke, who stepped down following the introduction of dual mandate rules retricting Oireachtas members from serving on local authorities.
Brendan enjoyed one of his proudest day in political life the following June when he was elected on the first count to the town council with a first preference return of 547, a performance only bettered by Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne on 614.
The other councillors elected on that occasion were Johnny Mee (Labour), Noel Campbell (Sinn Féin), Blackie Gavin (FF), Aidan Crowley (FF), Sean Bourke (FF), Kevin Guthrie (FG) and Eugene McCormack (FG).
He comfortably retained his seat in the 2009 town council elections, being returned as part of a four-strong Fine Gael team which also consisted of Ger Deere, Eugene McCormack and Noreen Heston.
That other members of the last Castlebar Town Council were Harry Barrett (Labour), Frank Durcan (Ind.), Michael Kilcoyne (Ind.), and Thérése Ruane (SF).
During his years as a councillor, he twice served as Mayor of Castlebar and was a member of the national group representing town councillors. His late father, John, had also been a chairman of the town council.
Paying tribute to him this morning, his close friend, neighbour and former Castlebar Town Council colleague, Ger Deere, said the deceased was an outstanding family man who loved everything about Castlebar and its people.
“During his time as an elected representative, he served the town with immense distinction, always striving to make it a better place in which to live and bring up families.
“I will always regard him as a great friend. He was very genuine, caring and possessed a tremendous sense of humour. It was a privilege to have known him. We will all miss him so much.”
Mr. Deere extended deepest sympathy to the Henaghan family on their devastating loss.
Another friend and former town council colleague, Eugene McCormack, said Brendan was popular right across the political divide.
“He always went out of his way to extend a warm hand of friendship to others. It was a fine trait of his. I don't think he ever fell out with anybody in politics. And that is saying a lot considering the frequent skirmishes that took place on a monthly basis at Marsh House!
“He had a wonderful way with people and, as a councillor, he represented Castlebar with immense distinction at home and abroad. What we will all remember most about him, however, is his friendship and his goodwill.”
The deceased had been involved in the business life of Castlebar for a long number of years through his health food store at Ellison Street, where people regularly dropped in to have a friendly chat with him.
He was that type of person. Charismatic, sincere and hugely affable.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
His remains will be reposing at the Coady Funeral Home, Castlebar, on Thursday evening from 5 p.m. with removal at 8 p.m. to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.
Funeral Mass on Friday morning at 11 o’clock with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery.