Dil remembers john carty a year after his death

Formal tributes were paid in the Dáil yesterday to the late John Carty, former Mayo TD, Senator and county councillor, who died in January 2014, writes Tim Ryan. 

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said John Carty embodied the best of a local representative. “He was steeped in his community,” he said. “His warm personal approach stretched across his constituency. He always had time for a chat, a cup of tea and a kind word, and always had a listening ear for people's problems.

“He knew his home and its people intimately. He had a keen eye for family detail that reached back deep into local history. His approach to politics was one of empathy, understanding and patience. It was the mark of the man.'

He continued: “John was a true son of Mayo, loyal to a fault. He carried the torch for the Fianna Fáil party in Mayo across all levels of the organisation in countless campaigns over the decades. He believed in public service and lived that out at grassroots level with the party with which he threw in his lot.”

Deputy Dara Calleary said John had many traits, including decency, integrity and public service. He was very republican-minded and independent. He learned those traits right across this country as an agricultural officer and brought them to the halls of this building both as a Deputy and a Senator.”

He recalled that John had a fantastic sense of humour and a sense of unbelievable mischief. “Above all,” he added, “he had 100% commitment to every job and task he took on. From his election to Mayo County Council in 1999 to his retirement from Seanad Éireann in 2011, he has left an impressive record of delivery across the county.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said John Carty was a family man, and along with Kathleen, and despite the demands of political life, he always made time for his priority which was his family, his eight children, James, Lisa, Cathal, John Henry, Eamonn, Caoimhín, Iarla and Ciara.

“John was always a popular personality and public representative in his famous home of Knock, the larger town of Claremorris and across County Mayo,” he said. “In public life as a councillor, Deputy and Senator he served the people of his county and his locality with conviction, commitment and dedication. He never turned anybody away from his door and always listened to the stories and cases brought before him, irrespective of from where they came.”