Tánaiste leads tributes to deceased Mayo politician
Ernie Caffrey pictured outside his home in Garden Street in Ballina prior to the visit of US President Joe Biden in April 2023.
Ballina is mourning one of its great community activists Ernie Caffrey, who served as a local and national politician during a distinguished political career spanning several decades. Ernie passed away peacefully at his residence on Garden Street earlier today.
Tánaiste and Fine Gael party leader Simon Harris has led the tributes:
"It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Ernie Caffrey, a former Fine Gael senator and councillor, who served his community in Ballina, Co Mayo and the party with distinction for many years.
"Elected to Seanad Éireann on the Industrial and Commercial Panel in 1997, he served in the upper house until 2002. He also served on Mayo County Council and Ballina Urban District Council. His loyalty to the party and his community was evident in his running as a Fine Gael candidate in four successive general elections between 1989 and 2002. He was a tireless advocate for those he represented and leaves behind a proud legacy.
"One particularly proud moment for Ernie and his family came just a few years ago when he and his daughter met with then US President Joe Biden during his visit to the North Mayo Heritage Centre on his historic visit to Ireland in April 2023. Ernie presented Mr Biden with a brick from the fireplace of the president’s ancestral Blewitt family homestead in Ballina.
"My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ernie’s family, friends and all those who knew him."
Predeceased by his wife Phyllis, his parents William and Elizabeth, and his sister-in-law Jocie McEvoy, Ernie is mourned by his children Liam, Declan, Elizabeth, and Miriam; Liam’s partner Una, daughter-in-law Lelia, sons-in-law Sean Ryan and Sean Lavelle, grandchildren Femhe, Cúán, Caoimhe, Iarlaith, Colm, Setanta, Macdara, Éadaoin, Diarmuid, and Saoirse; sister-in-law Peggy Finegan, niece Joanna, and nephew Joe, relatives, and a large circle of friends.
Reposing at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina (F26 V274) on Monday evening from 5pm until 7pm.
Funeral will arrive to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Tuesday morning for 11.30am Requiem Mass followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
