Tributes following death of former minister Paddy O'Toole

Tributes have been paid to the former Fine Gael minister Paddy O’Toole, who passed away at the weekend.

The Erris native was nominated to the 13th Seanad in 1973 for Fine Gael by the then Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. He was then elected to the 21st Dáil and served as a TD from 1977 to 1987.

Mr O’Toole, who made his home in Ballina, was re-elected in 1981 to the Dáil, where he then took up the role of Minister for the Gaeltacht from 1981 to 1982 and then served as Minister for Defence in 1982. He continued his role as Defence Minister during the 23rd Dáil in 1982 and retained his seat once again.

Mr O’Toole served as Minister for Fisheries and Forestry from 1982 to 1986. At the same time, he held office as Minister for Gaeltacht and briefly as Defence Minister once again from 1986 to 1987.

He failed to retain his seat in the following general election and was appointed to the Seanad in 1987. Later that year, he retired from politics.

A former primary school teacher at Knockanillo National School, near Ballina, Mr O’Toole was a close ally of former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald and an impressive political operator.

Originally from Doolough, Geesala, he was one of three men from the same stretch of road in the North Mayo village to be elected to Dáil Éireann in a 50-year period, the others being Henry Coyle and Paddy Lindsay. Fine Gael Cllr Gerry Coyle said Mr O’Toole was a “humble gentleman”.

“Success in politics and life didn’t go to his head. He was an ordinary man who was as comfortable talking about football as politics.”

A consummate Irish speaker, Mr O’Toole impressed during his time as a minister.

“He will be sadly missed by all his friends in Erris,” said Cllr Coyle.

The late Vinny Munnelly, a former councillor and father of Cllr Jarlath Munnelly, was one of Mr O’Toole’s right-hand men during his political ascent.

“Paddy O’Toole had a remarkable political career really, for a primary school teacher to come from Doolough and move into Ballina and build a base and become a cabinet minister was quite some feat,” said Cllr Munnelly.

“He was in politics at an extremely difficult time when there was no money in the country. He was in politics during a tumultuous period, 1981-1982, when there were three general elections in an 18-month period.”

Mr O’Toole called upon Vinny Munnelly in Killala, Johnny Kelly in Bonniconlon, and Swanie O’Hara and Vincy Troy in Ballina town, Eddie Staunton in Crossmolina Frank Devaney in Lahardane to help him establish and grow his Ballina base.

“He was a very effective political operator, there was no doubt about it,” said Cllr Munnelly.

Mr O’Toole lived a private life following his departure from politics.

“When he lost his seat in 1987, he very quickly pulled the shutters down on his political career,” said Cllr Munnelly. “He could have possibly come back or continued but he just decided that was that. He will be someone who will be very sadly missed around Ballina.

“He gave really good representation to the area while he was in politics. Paddy O’Toole was without doubt one of the people who was in politics for the right reasons.”

Minister of State Alan Dillon said Mr O’Toole gave dedicated service to Mayo and Ireland.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Paddy O’Toole, a distinguished public representative and a proud native of Mayo.

“Paddy’s career was marked by his dedication to public service and his significant contributions to our community and country.”

Fianna Fáil Minister Dara Calleary also paid tribute to Mr O’Toole.

“Paddy O’Toole was an exemplary public representative who served at the highest level of government during very difficult times. He brought insight, wisdom, and understanding to every role he held. He and my late father Séan may have been political opponents but they remained at all times firm friends. Paddy was a gentleman in every facet of his life. May his gentle soul now rest in peace.”

Mr O’Toole was predeceased by his brothers Des and Joe, and his son-in-law, Christy McLoughlin. He is survived by his beloved wife Jacqueline; children Jackie McLoughlin (Ballina), John (Dublin), Padraig (Claremorris), and Helen Browne (Galway); daughter-in-law, Ingrid, son-in-law, Tom, and Padraig’s partner, Marie, his sister Maureen, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, wider family circle and friends.

Mr O’Toole’s remains will repose at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina tomorrow (Wednesday) evening from 5.30pm with removal at 7.30pm to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Requiem Mass on Thursday morning, May 15th, at 11.30am, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.