Tributes paid to Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald who ‘put the public first in everything’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has led tributes to one of his party’s most popular county councillors, Dan Joe Fitzgerald, who has died after a short illness.

He described Mr Fitzgerald as “a man of great personal warmth and a gentleman to his core”.

Mr Fitzgerald was first elected to Cork County Council in 1999, and was still a member when he passed away at Marymount Hospice on Tuesday night.

“He had a huge sense of community, was always very sincere in his work, and put the public first in everything he did,” said Mr Martin.

Mayor of Cork County, John Paul O’Shea (Ind), said that it had been a privilege working alongside Mr Fitzgerald.

“His passing has come as a great shock and sadness to us all and his expertise, knowledge, and people skills will be a tremendous loss to the people of Mallow, and, indeed, his native Ballyclough.”

Council chief executive, Tim Lucey, said Mr Fitzgerald was held in high esteem by both management and staff of the organisation.

Councillor Frank O’Flynn (FF) said he had lost a great friend. He had been a classmate of Mr Fitzgerald’s at Ballyclough NS, and they had been elected to the county council on the same day.

Mr Fitzgerald was chairman of the council’s economic development strategic policy committee (SPC), a member of its housing SPC; a director of Mallow Development Partnership, and a member of Mallow Chamber of Commerce.

Mallow Chamber wishes to pay tribute to Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald RIP, a tireless public representative for Mallow, pic.twitter.com/Id4M5sTvfc

— Mallow Chamber (@MallowChamber) March 9, 2016

He is survived his wife, Mary, four children, and grandchildren.

His body will lie in repose at O’Callaghan’s Funeral Home, Ballyclough, from 4pm to 7.30pm today, after which it will be removed to the St Mary’s Church, Mallow.

He will be buried in Ballyclough cemetery, after 2pm requiem mass tomorrow.