First Workers' Party leader laid to rest

The first TD to represent the Workers’ Party in the Dáil was buried today.

Joe Sherlock, who died on Monday after an illness, had dedicated the last 40 years of his life to politics and his constituents.

The 71-year-old only retired from public life this summer when he did not stand for re-election to the Dáil.

The Cork East TD, who was succeeded in the seat by his son Sean, is also survived by his wife Ellen and children Joseph and Una.

Eamon Gilmore, Leader of the Labour Party, paid tribute to Mr Sherlock as he spoke at his graveside.

Mr Gilmore said he was lucky enough to know his colleague for almost 30 years, during which time his respect, admiration, and friendship grew.

He said although the loss of a husband, father, brother and friend was mourned, the life and achievements of an extraordinary man were also remembered and celebrated.

Mr Gilmore said that Mr Sherlock joined the Republican Movement in the 1950s and, having seen the futility of IRA violence in the early 1960s, he supported the 1962 ceasefire and the reform of the Movement before seeing the need for peaceful and democratic change.

“He was a genuine republican who was proud of his political roots in the Republican Movement, but he was equally proud to have been a member of and a TD for the Labour Party in the later years of his life,” he said.

“It was the start of what turned out to be a remarkable electoral career.”

An early school leaver and a former farm worker, Mr Sherlock was employed at the Sugar Company in Mallow.

He was first elected to Mallow District Council in 1967, securing just 110 votes.

In 1981 he was first elected to the Dáil, re-elected in February 1982, lost his seat in December 1982, and re-elected in 1987, and 1989.

He then served in the Seanad from 1992-1997, was re-elected to the Dail in May 2002, but announced in July 2005 that he would not be seeking re-election.

“Joe became the first TD to be elected to the Dáil for the Workers’ Party in June 1981,” continued Mr Gilmore.

“Holding onto a seat in this fiercely competitive constituency was never going to be an easy task and Joe lost the seat on a number of occasions.

“But Joe was never one to be bitter or resentful in defeat. The loss of his seat simply meant the beginning of the next campaign to regain it, as he did on several occasions.”

Mr Gilmore added that the politician’s entire life was driven by a sense of public duty.

“At every level he always put the interests of others first,” he said.

“There could be no greater contrast between the selflessness of Joe Sherlock on the one hand and the shameful, serf-serving activities of a small minority who have besmirched the name of politics in recent decades, on the other.”