'Resilient' - former Laois TD pays glowing tribute to Mountmellick man

Former Laois TD and Government minister John Moloney has led tributes the late Liam Hyland on his peaceful passing in Portlaoise.

Late of 11 Emmett Street, Mountmellick, Liam passed away peacefully at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, surrounded by his loving family.

Predeceased by his beloved parents Michael and Maureen Hyland, Liam will be forever loved and deeply missed by his heartbroken family, his loving sisters Susan, Patricia and Dympna, his brother Michael, brothers-in-law Pat, Gerard and Brendan and sister-in-law Fiona. He will be especially missed by his adored nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, who brought him great joy.

Liam will also be sadly missed by his extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends who knew him and loved him.

The deceased was very active locally during a life which was impacted by a life-threatening illness he suffered as a child. He was known to many, including John Moloney, as a friend and colleague in Fianna Fáil.

"Over the years, he developed a great capacity for making friends. Despite his disability, he participated in most organisations around town, from the Fianna Fáil party, of which he was an active member, to which he contributed in his own way. He had many strong points of view, of which he had no fear of elaborating upon," he said.

Mr Moloney said the deceased was also a member of the Mountmellick Cemetery Committee, the Wolfe Tone Court Committee. He was also known from his years working in a local supermarket. 

"During his years working for Alex Cleland, he gained many friends throughout the customer network, regaling many people in his own inimitable ways," he said.

He especially remembers Liam accompanying him on visits to Dáil Éireann, where he got to know many TDs across all parties.

"Again, he showed no fear of favour and would voice his opinion without being asked and was always outgoing, jolly, full of fun and devilment. His illness never held him back," he said.

Mr Moloney also remembered Liam's regular pilgrimages to Lourdes, where he would be the life and soul of the party. He recalled also how Liam would become well known to many in the various hospitals he spent time in down the years.

The former TD paid tribute to the care provided to Liam by his late parents and subsequently by his siblings after they died. Mr Moloney concluded with praise for the deceased's ability to overcome obstacles.

"If the word resilience were ever considered appropriate to describe any human being, it certainly could be attached to  Liam Hyland. Resilience was his approach to everyday life and dealing with his illness, and how he always kept his family in good humour with funny remarks and insight into every topic, local, national or international, he said.

Liam's remains will repose at Moloney’s Funeral Home, Mountmellick (R32 PC95) on Tuesday, March 10, from 5 pm with Rosary at 6.30 pm.

Removal from his sister Patricia’s house, 4 New Road, Acragar on Wednesday, March 11 at 10.30 am, arriving to St Joseph’s Church, Mountmellick, for 11 am Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Mountmellick.

House Strictly Private.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and nurses of the Emo Court Ward and Dunamaise Ward for their phenomenal care and kindness shown towards Liam.

Mass will be live-streamed via the parish webcam https://www.mountmellickparish.ie