Fianna Fáil leader pays tribute to the late Sean Calleary

FIANNA Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, has said that Ireland has lost one of its greatest public servants with the passing of former Mayo TD and Minister, Seán Calleary.

In his tribute, he said: “Seán served his county of Mayo as a TD for 19 years, and served as a government minister for eight years.

“He served with distinction and honour in the 1980s and early 1990s as Minister of State in the Departments of Labour and Public Service, Industry and Commerce and then Foreign Affairs.

“A fine sportsman and sports administrator, Seán played junior football with Mayo, and also donned the colours of Galwegians and Connacht - albeit under an assumed name because of the GAA ban.

“Following his playing career he performed leadership roles in both Mayo CLG as selector and Connacht Rugby as president of the Connacht branch of the IRFU. He was particularly pleased to be inducted into the Mayo Sports Star Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Seán was proud of all of his children’s achievements, and of course he took great pride in his son, Dara, being elected to serve the people of Mayo in Dáil Éireann in 2007 and at every subsequent election.

“During his life, Seán made an enormous contribution to his county, his region and his country. He will be greatly missed.

“My thoughts and sympathies, and those of the entire Fianna Fáil organisation, go out to his wife, Doris, his sons Conall, John and Dara and his daughter Síofra at this sad time.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.”