Limerick council to discuss plans to erect permanent tribute to city's native Terry Wogan

By David Raleigh

The Mayor of Limerick city and county has said he wants to see a lasting tribute erected in Limerick in memory of Terry Wogan.

Plans for the permanent tribute are to be discussed at a special meeting of the council this coming Friday.

Mayor Liam Galvin, Fine Gael, was first to sign a Book of Condolences this morning at City Hall, which was opened in memory of Mr Wogan, who was born in the Treaty City.

"It's certainly something I won't rule out, and that will be for the council to decide. I think there should be a lasting tribute," mayor Galvin said.

"The special meeting will decide on that."

He added: "I intend to go to the funeral whether it's on in Limerick or London. People from Limerick need to be represented at the funeral both by (council) management and by myself."

People began arriving at City Hall from 10am to sign the Book of Condolences, which will be sent to Mr Wogan's family.

Jim McAllister, from Ballinacurra Weston was the first member of the public to sign the book.

"I knew Terry Wogan a long long time. He was a very nice man," he explained.

"I hadn't seen him in donkey's years, but I knew him when he was younger."

Mr McAllister, aged 78, added: "I didn't hear it until this morning and I got a shock to be honest with you, because he was a wonderful person...He was very good."

Mary Barrett, from Westbury, also signed the book.

"I signed it because he is one of our own," she said.

"I always had time for him, he was always a good character, and had a good personality. He did a lot for Limerick....He put Limerick on the map," she added.

"He was a likeable person. We're proud of him," she said.

Mayor Galvin said Wogan had a special place in the hearts of all Limerick people.

"Terry Wogan meant a lot to the people of Limerick, and I can safely say that yesterday my mobile phone didn't stop raining with people asking me what were (the council) going to do to mark the death of Terry Wogan," he said.

"Certainly he was a massive asset to the city."

"He wanted Limerick, not alone to be the best city in Ireland, but to be the best city in Europe."

"He always said, 'why speak negatively about a city like Limerick, when there is so many positives', and that is one thing we were very grateful for, the way he spoke up for Limerick."

"Today, you can see people already coming and going singing the Book of Condolences, and it just shows the respect in which the man was held," the mayor added.

Members of the public are also invited to sign Books of Condolences at Council Headquarters in Dooradoyle, or online at www.limerick.ie/council.