Tributes paid after sudden passing of Waterford’s deputy mayor

THE DEPUTY MAYOR of Waterford has died, solely days after being elected to serve within the function.

Cllr James Tobin, who was first elected to Waterford County Council 23 years in the past, handed away all of a sudden over the weekend.

Tobin, from Knockanore, close to Tallow in west Waterford, was a stalwart of Fianna Fáil within the area, topping the ballot for the get together on the 2009 native elections.

Following a council election final Thursday, he was attributable to serve alongside Mayor of Waterford John O’Leary who stated the late man was pal who had “immersed himself” in neighborhood work throughout his life.

“I’ve the honour of claiming I knew James for over 30 years and in that point, I used to be privileged to work carefully with him and contemplate myself a pal of his,” the Fianna Fáil councillor stated.

He was remembered as a person of “knowledge and wit” by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who stated Tobin had left behind him an extended and distinguished file of service.

“James was the consummate public consultant, a person who beloved what he did and who did it for the appropriate causes. He cared deeply and passionately concerning the individuals he represented and labored tirelessly to enhance their lives and their neighborhood,” Martin stated.

He added that, as member of Knockanore Shamrocks GAA, Tobin was proud to function chairman of the Waterford GAA County Board in 1984, the centenary 12 months of the nationwide organisation.

He was a councillor since 1999 and in 2014 he turned the primary mayor of the newly amalgamated Waterford Metropolis and County Council in 2014.

Tributes have been paid by politicians of all stripes in Waterford.

Cllr Pat Fitzgerald (Sinn Féin) stated: “I first met him in 2009 once I obtained onto the council. He was an outdated soldier then and he was nothing however a pure gentleman to all of us.”

Tallow Labour councillor John Pratt stated the neighborhood was “devastated” to lose the long-serving politician. 

“Firstly, I simply wish to ship my honest condolences to all his household. His personal spouse, Anne, solely died within the final 12 months,” he advised native radio WLR.

“James was solely actually simply beginning to come round from that and I do know he’ll be glad to satisfy Anne in his resting place.”

Tobin final 12 months publicly thanked his political colleagues for his or her assist after the loss of life of spouse, telling the council chamber that, regardless of their disagreements, he thought of them his pals who he was glad to serve alongside.

“She was a girl he described as ‘his rock’ and he usually recalled how she was so giving of her time to everybody she met,” O’Leary stated.

Noting that he held quite a few neighborhood roles throughout his many years of service, the mayor stated his late pal “significantly relished” working as a part of the Déise Hyperlink Rural transport committee, as he was “dedicated to making sure that folks in distant rural villages and cities had entry to move to make sure they didn’t really feel remoted”.

Michael Walsh, chief govt of Waterford Metropolis and County Council, stated the native authority had misplaced a devoted public servant.

“James served as a councillor for over twenty years and in that point, his love of his household, his get together and his neighborhood was evident,” he stated.

“Even all through the tough time when he misplaced his beloved spouse, Anne, James served with nice dignity and energy.”

He’s survived by he and his spouse Anne’s youngsters, Mairéad, Micheál, Seán, Áine, Séamus and Pádraig.

Funeral preparations haven’t but been introduced.