Local Fianna Fáil councillor dies suddenly as Meath village left rocked

Cllr Damien O'Reilly of Fianna Fáil. Picture: Fianna Fáil

The Fianna Fáil community has been left reeling today after the sudden and unexpected death of a Meath county councillor.

Cllr Damien O'Reilly (40) from Dunboyne passed away on Saturday morning in the village.

It is believed he had been complaining of chest pains ahead of his passing.

The Cathaoirleach of Ratoath Municipal Council worked as a personal assistant in Leinster House to Senator Aidan Davitt and worked tirelessly for the Meath community since his election onto Meath Co. Council in 2014.

Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Fianna Fáil's Tommy Reilly said the young Councillor was 'destined for the top'

"I'm just lost for words this morning. He was also a close friend and other councillors used to laugh and say he was my adopted son. I'm just so shocked and saddened.

"He was a hard worker and was always there to help everyone who needed anything. He was really going places and had a bright future ahead of him. He had just completed a Masters in Engineering.

"Fianna Fáil, Meath and Dunboyne have had a huge loss today and I send my sympathies to his mother Phil, partner Lisa and family."

Meanwhile, Navan-based Senator Shane Cassells said Cllr O'Reilly's death was being met with devastation across the county by all parties. 

 "He was an incredibly popular figure both in the Fianna Fáil family and among councillors in all parties "He was a big poll topper in the last local elections which was a big indicator of the huge respect people had for him. We are all just devastated at the news."