Farewell to Bernie, the people’s champion

BERNIE Murphy caused a political sensation in June 1985 when he was elected an independent on Cork City Council, representing the north-central ward.

The self-styled advertising agent (he was actually a sandwich-board man) won 1,242 votes and was elected on the 11th count.

“The people of Cork wanted me to get in because they liked me,” a victorious Mr Murphy proclaimed.