Tributes to former Mayo county councillor on his passing

Tributes have been paid to the late Michael Joe McGreal, a former Fianna Fáil county councillor, whose death has taken place.

He was 76 years of age.

A native of Breaffy, Castlebar, he lived in Balla for half a century.

He was a county councillor for the area from 1974 to 1985 and also stood for Dáil Éireann in 1975, contesting the West Mayo by-election called after the death of Henry Kenny, TD. The by-election was won by Henry’s son, Enda Kenny.

Michael Joe was first elected to Mayo County Council at the age of 26 in an extremely competitive contest in 1974.

The other councillors elected were Henry Kenny, Pádraig Flynn, Frank Durcan and Joe Mulrooney. Two outgoing councillors, Seán Nestor and Paddy Burke, were unseated.

He was re-elected in 1979 but did not stand in the 1985 local elections after boundary revisions moved Balla into the Swinford region, splitting his vote in two.

At the age of 37, he left politics at a younger age than most politicians start.

Current Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo and Minister for State Dara Calleary led the tributes.

“He served the people of Mayo and in particular of Castlebar and Balla as a councillor from 1974–1985.

“He served his local community and assisted people in many other ways outside of elected office through his lifetime.

“He stood as the Fianna Fáil candidate in the 1975 by-election. In spite of the odds being very much against him, he fought the campaign with maximum commitment and enthusiasm.

“I am thinking of his wife Margo, his children and his extended family and hope that his legacy of service and achievements will sustain them at this time,” said Minister Calleary.

Michael Joe went to school in Breaffy NS and boarding school in Cistercian College, Roscrea, where he developed a love for rugby and lined out for Castlebar Rugby Club for many years.

Michael Joe ran a renowned furniture business beside the family home in Balla while in latter years he went into financial services, specialising in debt management and insolvency.

He passed away peacefully in Mayo University Hospital this morning, surrounded by his family, after a short illness.

He is mourned by his wife Margo; sons Robert and Eamon, daughters Michelle and Louise; their partners Ann McGreal, Patrick Sweeney, Ronan MacDonald and Kate Langley; his adored grandchildren Aoibhe and Odhrán MacDonald, Seán, Niall, Peggy and Martha McGreal; brothers Ned (Breaffy), Timmy (Belcarra), Máirtín (Ballyheane) and Noel (Breaffy), sisters Frankie Staunton (Westport), Olivia Mannion (Breaffy), Roma Schultz (Germany), Mary Tomasi (Italy) and Margaret (Breaffy), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and his large circle of friends.

Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved family on their loss.

Micheal Joe’s remains will repose at his home, 12 College Woods, Balla, (F23 TK71) on Monday evening from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral cortege will arrive at St Cronan’s Church, Balla, on Tuesday morning, for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.

Micheal Joe will be laid to rest afterwards in Breaffy Cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.