Family angry over ‘misuse’ of dead man’s name
The family of former Cork city councillor, Con O’Connell, who died in 2007, said they are disgusted that one of his former canvassers, Thomas McIntyre, is using Con’s image and achievements as part of his own election campaign, without their blessing.
In a strongly worded statement issued last night, the O’Connell family said they are “appalled” at Mr McIntyre’s behaviour.
“He has without our permission used the image and the achievements of our late beloved brother, Cllr Con O’Connell. We wish him to desist from using Con’s name to seeks votes in the area.
“And we can unequivocally state that Thomas McIntyre was never anything to Con but a canvasser, like we all were.
“We request that Mr McIntyre desists from using our beloved brother’s name and let him rest in peace. You have no connection to his achievements or beliefs.”
Mr O’Connell’s sister, Maire, said several of Mr McIntyre’s election leaflets bearing Con’s photograph had been dropped into the homes of family members, causing them huge upset.
“I don’t know what I’d do if he called to my door. I don’t think I’d allow him to speak. I’d put my dogs on him,” she said.
Her brother Ted, who had considered running for election on June 5, said the family decided reluctantly to speak out to protect Con’s legacy.
“Fair play to anyone who goes up for election, but they should stand on their own feet,” he said.
“Con’s memory is dear to us and we don’t want that kind of association. We are sorry it has come to this, but we have to do it to protect Con’s memory. He would be turning in his grave.”
Mr McIntyre, who is running as an independent in Mr O’Connell’s former Cork south central ward, was uncontactable last night. Calls to a contact phone number printed on his election literature went unanswered.
Mr O’Connell died in the South Infirmary in June 2007 after several years of ill-health. He was 64.
He had been confined to a wheelchair since suffering a stroke in December 2003.
Despite his ill-health he continued to attend regular city council meetings with the help of a carer.
He first ran for election to the city council in 1991 and polled 434 first preference votes – 4% of the total – in the South Central Ward.
But he lost out on winning a seat. He spent the next eight years building his profile and taking a legal studies course at UCC.
In 1995, and following a four-year legal battle, he won a High Court judgment rendering invalid a 1991 government order reducing his and his wife Anne’s disability payments by 20%.
He romped home in the 1999 local elections topping the poll and taking the title Alderman.
In 2003, the Supreme Court dismissed a case taken by Mr O’Connell in which an order had been sought to extend the refuse waiver system to areas covered by private waste collectors.
Mr O’Connell fought the start of the 2004 local election campaign from his hospital bed and retained his seat.
