Tears and laughter as Laois council meeting deferred following death of former councillor

There were tears and laughter as the monthly Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting was deferred as a mark of respect to the late former Councillor Tom Mulhall. 

Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Brennan proposed the deferral in honour of the popular former councillor who served in the Municipal District. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Aisling Moran. 

Cllr Brennan said Mr Mulhall was elected in 2009 but retired in 2021 due to ill health. He described Mr Mulhall as a “genuine and honest” man who worked hard in his area and was very much involved in the IFA. 

Cllr Brennan described his death as a great loss as he extended his sympathies to Mr Mulhall’s widow Bridget, his children Úna and Niall and his family and friends. 

Cllr PJ Kelly recalled Mr Mulhall’s passion for everything he did, be it farming or politics or constituency work. He said he loved politics, he loved the council and the people who worked there. “He loved the banter in here with ye,” he said. 

“He loved parking his jeep in Stradbally to torment Paschal McEvoy, he told me that. He said, I will even park it and leave it there all day and get a lift,” Cllr Kelly recalled to laughter from the other councillors. 

“I have no shame in saying this but I will never fill his boots and I don’t mind saying it, but I will try,” said Cllr Kelly. 

He said Mr Mulhall was an Emo man to his backbone. Cllr Kelly became tearful as he recounted visiting him in hospital. 

“I cried when I came out of hospital, that’s the truth. It broke my heart,” he told the councillors.   

Head of Finance at Laois County Council Gerry Murphy expressed his sincere sympathy to Mr Mulhall’s family. 

“It’s a sad day for his family but it is also a sad day for his former councillor colleagues and the staff members of Laois County Council, past and present,” said Mr Murphy. 

“He took his role very seriously and worked tirelessly for his constituents, you could see that from the representations he made on their behalf,” he said. 

He described Mr Mulhall as a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. 

Cllr Paschal McEvoy complimented Mr Mulhall’s hard work. “He certainly was never in it for anything other than helping people,” he remarked. 

“He was well known in the area and well liked and that became very apparent in the ballot box,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

He described Mr Mulhall as being “passionate about helping people” as a councillor.  Despite whatever exchanges occurred at a council meeting he would “go out the door and he would be laughing with you,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

“He never disliked anyone, he just done his job,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

He said Mr Mulhall’s wish was for “his right hand man” PJ Kelly to take over and “he is here today.” 

Cllr Padraig Fleming said he wanted to be associated with the comments. 

“He was a very strong individual. He followed all of the issues in detail and kept following them until he had success,” he said. 

Cllr Moran extended her sympathy to Mr Mulhall’s family and to his close friend Cllr PJ Kelly, as she said they were “peas in a pod” going around.  

“I may not always have seen eye to eye with him but he was a great worker,” Cllr Moran said. 

Cllr Aidan Mullins said Mr Mulhall was a “very dedicated and committed” man who worked diligently. “I’d say he did more hours than any of us here,” he said. 

“You can rest assured he left nothing on the pitch, as he would say as a GAA man,” said Cllr Mullins. He told the assembly that Mr Mulhall never personalised any of the arguments at council meetings.  

The Municipal District members agreed to adjourn the monthly meeting until Wednesday, March 27. 

Mr Mulhall is survived by his loving wife Bridget and children Úna and Niall, father-in-law of Gavin, grandfather of Alison and Daniel. Sadly missed by his loving sister Ann, brother Eamon and his wife Breda, nieces Maria and Catherine, nephews James, Eoin and John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, neighbours, colleagues and his many loyal friends.

His remains will be removed from his residence this Thursday morning at 11:10am, arriving at St Paul's Church, Emo (eircode R32 RY16) for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to the New Cemetery, Emo.

Requiem Mass will be streamed live on https://laoisfuneralslive.com/johnmaherfuneraldirector