County mourns 'patriot' former councillor
Tributes have been pouring in following the death of former Cork county councillor Des O'Grady on Wednesday.
Mr O’Grady, who was a member of Sinn Féin, passed away peacefully at CUH at the age of 72.
A former left wing back for the Cork senior football team, the Togher native played his club football at St Finbarr's. He was the brother of former Cork hurling manager Donal O’Grady.
Leading the tributes to Mr O’Grady was former colleague Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire who said he is devastated by the passing of his good friend.
He said: “From my first day on the council, Des gave me tremendous guidance. I sat beside him every fortnight in Cork County Council. He had great wisdom, and was tenacious – he never accepted inadequate answers, always very well informed and prepared.
“He fought for his constituents with passion but also intelligence. He did this without ego or without pretension.
“He taught me a great deal and was a huge support to me at every stage of my career. A dedicated and hard-working elected rep, fighting hard for his community,” added Deputy Ó Laoghaire.
Elected to Cork County Council in 2014, Mr O’Grady represented Sinn Féin in the Blarney-Macroom constituency until 2019.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire continued: “He was a passionate republican and socialist activist who was always on the side of the marginalised and oppressed and to create a better, united Ireland.
“He was also a proud Barrs man, a talented footballer and hurler winning several counties and an All-Ireland Club Football Championship in 1980 and occupied several coaching and committee positions in the club.
“He is a huge loss to Sinn Féin in Cork, especially in Ballincollig and east Muskerry, to the Barrs, but most of all to his family, to whom we extend our sincerest condolences. Slán Des, táimid fíor bhuíoch duit.”
A post on the Cork Sinn Féin Facebook page read: “Farewell to a comrade and dear friend. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Des.
“Des was a patriot who was committed to the reunification and freedom of Ireland and all of her people. It is with heavy hearts that we express our condolences to his wife Maura, his children, his grandchildren, his family, and his wide circle of friends.
“Rest well, Des. We’ll keep going. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Mr O’Grady will lie in repose at Crowley’s Funeral Home, Ballincollig on Saturday from 6-7pm. His funeral will take place on Monday at 1pm at St Oliver’s Cemetery, Ballincollig.