Former Laois Councillor's love for community recalled at his funeral

Former Laois Fine Gael Councillor Tom Mulhall’s love for his community and family was recalled at his funeral mass in St Paul's Church, Emo earlier today. 

Fr Thomas Dooley recounted Tom’s role in the community from his work as Chairperson of the school’s board of management and the Tidy Towns to his time playing football with Emo. He said Tom was a farmer who worked the land and was close to nature. 

“Tom was very much from and of the community here in Emo. He was part of the farming, sporting community and political life of the community here… Tom played football here with Emo. We see the colours on the coffin,” he said. 

“Above all, Tom loved to talk. He loved to socialise with people and to meet people and he did it with great ease. I presume that is what drew him into politics,” said Fr Dooley. 

“I would suggest today that he entered local politics for the right reasons and that is to serve the community and to serve his people and his help and assistance I know crossed party lines and even crossed county boundaries,” he said. 

Tom’s daughter Úna said her father was “a community man through and through” who always tried to help people. She said this was reflected in the many kind messages and in the support the family had received since his death. 

She thanked Fr Dooley, the congregation, staff of the Beacon Hospital, Tullamore Hospital and Kilnacourt Primary Care Centre along with all those who had assisted Tom while he was ill. She said she was particularly grateful to the Taoiseach’s Aide de Camp, Commandant Claire Mortimer, who attended the funeral service on behalf of the Taoiseach.

Úna said her father was first elected in 2009 and had served with distinction until 2021.  She said he would have wanted her to state that not only had he been reelected, he had increased his first preference votes on each occasion. 

“He enjoyed the cut and thrust of politics and the friendships he made along the way,” she said. 

She noted her father had always enjoyed canvassing and would have really enjoyed the coming months as the local elections approached.

Úna said her father was always out and about and he would come home, shower and be gone again, earning him the name ‘wash and go’ at home. 

She said her father was passionate about football and one of the few times she had seen him cry was when Laois won the Leinster Final in 2003. She said he managed the under 12s girls side in Emo in 1995 when she was playing. 

“He loved his family and we know that he was proud of all of us,” she said. Úna said his best pal was his son Niall. She said he often joked that his was a mixed marriage because he married Bridget, who was from Banagher in neighbouring Offaly. She said he was loved and supported by the Dolans in Banagher. 

“Dad’s greatest love was this place Emo. It was the centre of his universe,” she said. 

She said her father often collected for different causes and she asked the congregation to consider making a donation to the Irish Cancer Society for Daffodil Day. She said her father had battled his illness bravely and with dignity and had never complained.    

Tom Mulhall died on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He is survived  by his wife Bridget, children Úna and Niall, son-in-law of Gavin, grandchildren Alison and Daniel. He will be sadly missed by his loving sister Ann and 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.

Tom was laid to rest in the New Cemetery, Emo following his funeral mass in St Paul's Church, Emo.