Motor neurone claims life of brave fundraiser

Last Thursday night Mary Harty organised hot whiskeys for a group who gathered at her home near Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, for an ice bucket fundraiser for motor neurone disease.

The drenching was dispensed by members of the Cappamore fire brigade.

It raised more money for the Motor Neurone Association, and they laughed and chatted with Mary late into the night.

Mary Harty, aged 53, passed away yesterday from the illness.

Ms Harty, a primary school teacher was Fine Gael chairman of Limerick County Council in 2011/2012.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan led tributes to Miss Harty yesterday, describing her as a “close friend and great party colleague”.

Mr Noonan said: “She was a very brave person who still came to council meetings and various political and community events, despite this dreadful illness. It’s so sad that she has been taken from us at such an young age and the contribution she made to the community is something that will never be forget.

“She taught in Pallasgreen for years and in more recent times taught in a number of schools in the area as a resource teacher with children helping them participate in main stream education.

“She was a very caring and professional teacher. Mary is the second colleague in Fine Gael who has died from motor neurone in recent times, as Nicki McFadden also died from motor neurone.”

One of Mary Harty’s closest friends was former Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne who said: “Mary fought a long battle, having been diagnosed on October 22, 2012. The day after she was diagnosed she rang me and said ‘you had better sit down, I have something to tell you’. She was very brave and an inspiration to all.”

Kieran O’Donnell, TD said: “Mary was a lady of great warmth and generosity of spirit. A very capable person, she represented the interests of her people with great skill and dedication. Her ability was clearly evident during her term as cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.

“She was a rock within her community and a source of great strength for all. The way that she faced her illness was inspiring to all of us who knew her.

“She was deeply respected by her colleagues in politics across Limerick and beyond. Her passing will be deeply felt by the wider Fine Gael family.

Mary Harty is survived by two sisters, Carmel and Siobhán and her brother, Eamonn.