Laois man caught up in planning tribunal to be laid to rest in his native Abbeyleix

Laois man Jim Kennedy will be laid to rest in his native Abbeyleix after passing away in London at the end of July.

James Patrick Kennedy, a butcher and farmer turned property developer who with other business interests, died peacefully at University College Hospital, London on July 31 surrounded by his family.

Beloved husband of Antoinette his death notice also said he was a loving father to sons Patrick, James, Danny, John, Joseph, Michael and daughters Anne, Katie, Alana and Erin.

He was also described as a wonderful grandad to Chloe, Sofia, Isabel, James, Matthew, Maryrose,  Christopher, Olivia, ​​Raphi, Cadhla, and Sheila.

Mr Kennedy was predeceased by his sisters Bridget and Sadie. His notice said he would be sadly missed by his brother Richard his son and daughters-in-law, close relatives extended family, neighbours and friends.

"An Abbeyleix boy at heart. Jim will be deeply missed and always remembered for his love, kindness and humour," said the notice.

Son of Sheila and Patrick Kennedy in Abbeyleix, he left school at a young age to work in the family butcher shop in Abbeyleix and help his mother manage the family farm.

He would inherit the family farm near Abbeyleix which Laois County Council subsequently bought by via a compulsory purchase when he was he was in his early 20s. This would allow him to make investments that would lead him down a different path in life which saw him getting involved in construction. 

Aged 76 at the time of his death, he became known to the general public through the famous Mahon Planning Tribunal into allegations of corrupt payments to politicians and officials.

Former lobbyist Frank Dunlop alleged he was paid £25,000 by Kennedy to get councillors to support the rezoning of the so-called Jackson Way lands. Mr Kennedy denied any interest in the land or in any company associated with them.

His solicitors would later tell the tribunal he lived in Gibraltar, had renounced his Irish citizenship and was refusing “with regret” to cooperate.

The final tribunal report accepted Dunlop’s testimony that Mr Kennedy knew money had been paid to councillors. Mr Kennedy never cooperated with the Tribunal team.

However, he was later put on trial at the Circuit Criminal Court arising from the Tribunal's findings but “emphatically denied” giving Dunlop £25,000 to bribe councillors. The case collapsed because Dunlop said he was too ill to give evidence.

His remains repose in the Church of The Most Holy Rosary on Friday, August 18 from 5pm to 7pm in Abbeyleix. Requiem Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 12 noon in the Church of The Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.