Council pay deserved tribute
to the late Dick Morrin
24 Jul 1996
The late Mr. Richard (Dick) Morrin has been remembered for his outstanding contribution to the community as a long serving Fianna Fail councillor.
Members of Mayo County Council stood for one minute in silent tribute to their late Castlebar colleague before adjourning the annual general meeting of the authority as a mark of respect. The sympathy of the council was extended to the wife and family of Mr. Morrin and many tributes were paid to the Fianna Fail man who had been a member of the council for more than twenty years.
Mr. Stephen Molloy, proposing the adjournment and a vote of sympathy, said Mr. Morrin was a legend in Mayo politics and his passing left a void not alone in the council chamber but within his family and all over the county.
The Fianna Fail party had lost a loyal and dedicated servant and mentor who brought a ready wit, frankness and a particular brand of humour to council debates.
Senator Paddy Burke said they had all lost a good friend in the passing of Mr. Morrin. Fianna Fail had lost a great activist and the county had lost a great councillor. He had enjoyed a very good relationship with Mr. Morrin and was aware that as well as being a great party man and a great councillor and community man he was, even more so, a great family man.
He was also a man of vision and he was the first to propose a new designation for the Castlebar hospital as the Mayo General Hospital on the grounds that it would boost the case for development of the centre.
He had also been the first to propose the disused wing of St. Mary's Hospital as a location for third level courses in Castlebar. It was the availability of the facility that ensured the early provision of third level education in Mayo.
Mr. Johnny Mee said he was a personal friend of Mr. Morrin who spent many hours in his home discussing issues of concern to the council. Mr. Morrin had a compassionate and caring outlook and spent many hours looking after the cares and concerns of those who sought his assistance. He was not a councillor of the new era with a filofax under one arm and a mobile phone in the other. He was a man of the people and had great time for people.
Mr. Martin J. O'Toole said he had been privileged to deliver the oration at the grave side. It was true to say that the council already missed Dick Morrin. They missed his banter and his straightforward broadsides. His life was dedicated to his family, the GAA and later to politics. He had served the council well since his involvement in 1982. He would have delighted at the fact that the chairman of Mayo GAA Board received his remains and officiated at the funeral.
Mr. Henry Kenny joined in the tributes. While he had known Dick as a councillor for only a year he had been keenly aware of his involvement with Fianna Fail in local and general elections for a long time. He often wondered if Dick Morrin was a full time councillor as he invariably met him in the council offices on the occasions when he visited to do business for some constituent.
"Everywhere I went he seemed to be always there ahead of me", said Mr. Kenny.
Mr. Pat Kilbane said he served on the council and the Health Board with Dick Morrin and he was a fearless advocate of the cause of Mayo. He would be sorely missed not just on the council but also by the Health Board.
Mr. Padraig Cosgrove said he had known Mr. Morrin for twenty years and had many enjoyable clashes with him. As a director of elections he was always interested in a result and did what was necessary to get it.
Mr. Frank Chambers said Dick Morrin was as hard on his party colleagues as he was on the opposition when the occasion demanded. He was a great party man and a great worker for the people. He could be hard hitting but he was not vindictive and did not carry grudges. If hard things were said in the party rooms or at council meetings that was the end of it as far as Dick Morrin was concerned.
"He could mix it, but he was fair and when it was over he carried no baggage," said Mr. Chambers.
"Whoever follows in his footsteps will have a difficult act to follow."
Mr. Al McDonnell said he had worked with Councillor Morrin for twelve years and in his work he was as committed as in everything he took on. He was great at banter and had an excellent turn of phrase. His main concern in politics was for the underprivileged, those at the end of the cul-de-sac, those in need of housing, those seeking medical cards or social services.
GOOD NATURED
He gave an enormous amount of time to his Party and he had never lost an election while he was director. He could be ruthless when the need demanded and he was always a supporter and advocate of the weaker of the candidates in elections.Mr. Eddie Staunton said he had many brushes with Councillor Morrin but they were always good natured and good humoured. He would be missed by councillors on all sides.
Mr. Jack Heneghan said it had come as a great shock to him when he heard the news of the death. He felt as if he had lost a personal friend.
Mr. Joe Beirne, county engineer, said he had numerous clashes with Councillor Morrin but there was never any rancour or bitterness. He did his best for his constituents and took on all comers in pursuit of what he wanted. He was a great worker for his party and his constituency.
Mr. Des Mahon, county manager, said Mr. Morrin had served the county well and fearlessly. He had always represented his people to the best of his ability. He had a great compassion for the underprivileged, had a ready wit and a keen intellect which was most to be seen at Estimates time.
"He will be missed in this Chamber and throughout the county but mostly he will be missed in his home," said Mr. Mahon.
Mr. Christy Loftus (Western People), on behalf of the media, joined in the
words of tribute paid to Councillor Morrin and extended sympathy to his wife
and family.
Connaught Telegraph - News - July 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - July 1996
