Council meeting adjourned after Castlebar bereavements

The October monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District was adjourned last Wednesday following two recent local deaths.

Sympathies were extended to the families of former long-serving councillor Frank Durcan and John Dolan, son of Paul Dolan, who was the council's Head of Roads up to his recent retirement. 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Al McDonnell proposed the adjournment, extending sincere sympathy to Frank Durcan's wife Toni and family, as well as to Paul Dolan and his family on the untimely death of John who passed away on October 23rd following a brief illness. 

Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan extended her deepest sympathy to the Durcan family, saying she had never worked with Frank as a councillor but had always found him a "very nice gentleman". She added that the death of John Dolan was an absolute tragedy for his family, saying “our hearts go out to them, it is beyond words, such a difficult time, we are thinking of them".

Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said he had sat on both the town and county council alongside Frank Durcan “and it would be fair to say those people who voted for him, he certainly represented them well". On the passing of John Dolan, Cllr Kilcoyne extended sympathy to the Dolan family, saying it was so difficult to see young people dying.

Fine Gael Cllr Ger Deere extended sympathies to the Durcan family and said he had worked closely with Paul Dolan through a number of voluntary organisations and knew his son John from his work in Bar One. He added: “It is such a tragedy. We can only pray for the family and have them in our thoughts.” 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Blackie Gavin said he had served with Frank Durcan on both the town and county council and that he came from "a sound Castlebar family that is actively involved in the commercial centre" of the county town. He also extended sympathy to Paul Dolan on the passing of his son.

Independent Cllr Harry Barrett joined in the sympathies, saying that Frank Durcan had served as a councillor and represented Castlebar town for five decades. He also served on the board of St Gerald's College for many years.

“He was very much a force to be reckoned with and was very much about putting the needs of the town first, through his work with St Gerald’s College, on the Lough Mask Water Scheme and he served an amount of times as Cathaoirleach of both councils.” 

In relation to the passing of John Dolan, Cllr Barrett said it was tragic to lose a young man in the prime of his life.

Fine Gael Cllr Cyril Burke also extended sympathies to the Dolan family, saying he had a connection with the family for many years. 

“This is very sad and the worst news that could come to your door. My sympathies to the family, we are thinking of them.” 

The agenda of the October meeting was deferred to the next meeting of Castlebar municipal district in November.

The funerals of Frank Durcan, who died in Spain, and John Dolan, who passed away in Brussels, took place in Castlebar in recent days with large crowds in attendance. 

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.