People's 'champion' Jack Roche laid to rest

Tributes have been paid to the late former Cork County Councillor Jack Roche who was laid to rest on Tuesday.

At Monday’s meeting of Cork County Council, members spoke at length about the former Fianna Fáil councillor and group leader who served on the council from 1976 to 1999.

The 84 year old Duhallow native was described as a champion for the people he represented by Fianna Fáil Cllr for Kanturk-Mallow, Bernard Moynihan.

“It’s a sad occasion here in the chamber of Cork County Council that I have to pay tribute to my great friend Jack Roche,” said Cllr Moynihan.

“When I was growing up as a young fella in Duhallow, I remember hearing the name Jack Roche. Jack Roche was mentioned in our house every single day.

“It’s with great sadness this day that I say farewell to my great friend and colleague.”

After leaving politics in 1999, Mr Roche continued to be heavily involved in rural development and became the head of the European Leader Association, an international non-profit association set up to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

A passionate musician and sportsman, Mr Roche also served as a board member for IRD Duhallow.

Kanturk Cllr Gerard Murphy (Fine Gael) described Mr Roche as being a diligent, honest, straight forward, and hardworking public representative and a huge loss to Cork and the people of Duhallow.

“He served as leader of the Fianna Fáil party (in Cork County Council) for many years while I was leader of the Fine Gael party at the time,” said Cllr Murphy.

“We worked extremely well together and you could always rely on Jack Roche, if you gave you his word he would stick by his word. “He had a great sense of what his community needed and what his constituency needed and he served them exceptionally well.”

Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Murphy said: “Jack Roche was a terrific friend of mine, I served with him for 12 or 13 years on this council and he was a true gentleman, there’s no question about that.”

A post on rip.ie read: “The death has occurred of John (Jack) Roche, Clough, Rockchapel (former member of Cork County Council), brother of the late Peggy and Uncle to Eda, Anne, Bernie, Teresa, Catherine, Tony, Donal, and Sean. Deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by his loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, relatives, neighbours, and many friends. RIP.”

Jack Roche was laid to rest on Tuesday at Rockchapel Cemetery.