PJ Sheehan funeral today
The funeral of former Cork South West TD and PJ Sheehan will take place this morning (Thursday) when he will be laid to rest in his hometown of Golem.
Tributes have been pouring in since Mr Sheehan passed away on Monday, just one week after the passing of his wife Frances.
Sheehan was a popular figure throughout his political career which spanned more than 50 years.
Former Fine Gael TD and county mayor Noel Harrington described Mr Sheehan as the most “hardworking public representative” he had ever met. “His ability to connect with people and his desire to help the most vulnerable were amongst his greatest attributes.
“He was incredibly loyal to his Cork South West constituency and extremely generous with his time and resources. He approached every issue, not from a raw political point of view, but from a genuine concern that he might be of help.”
Mr Harrington said that Mr Sheehan’s driving force and strength was his family, and that his wife Frances, children, Dermot, Deirdre, Eucharia and Maebh, and in later years his grandchildren, were foremost in his thoughts always.
“I met him first as a young boy with my late father Donie who then played a part in many of Paddy’s campaigns from the ‘70s through the exhausting electoral battles of the early ‘80s,” said Mr Harrington.
He added: “I was privileged to witness every contest, victory and defeat right up to present day. There will only ever be one PJ Sheehan and everyone who ever met or knew him were the stronger, wiser and better for it.”
President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins said that the news of Paddy Sheehan’s passing would be received with “great sadness”. “As a parliamentarian he was quite unique, completely resistant to any of the anodyne suggestions of any press office. He spoke with humour, wit, sincerity and indeed on occasion with some genius on the problems and prospects of West Cork,” said President Higgins.
Leader of Fine Gael, An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also expressed his condolences, saying that he was saddened to hear of Mr Sheehan’s death, “especially as it comes so soon after the death of his beloved wife Frances”.
Former taoiseach John Bruton paid tribute, describing Sheehan as a “long-time colleague and friend.”
“Paddy lost his wife, Frances, only last week. This was a huge blow because Frances was central to every aspect of Paddy’s life.”
In keeping with guidelines on public gatherings, Mr Sheehan’s funeral will take place privately.
The funeral cortège will bid a final farewell to his many loyal friends and supporters starting at Toormore at 11.30am, passing through Durrus at 12pm, Ballydehob at 12.40 (via Bantry Cross/Barnagaoithe), Schull at 12.55pm and arriving in Goleen at 1.30pm for a private Requiem Mass at 2pm in Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick’s, Goleen, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.