Tributes paid to the late Michael Joe McGreal

Tributes were paid to the late Michael Joe McGreal at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

Mr McGreal, was a Fianna Fáil member of Mayo County Council from 1974 to 1985.  He 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.

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

Elected to Mayo County Council at the tender age of 26, he departed politics 11 years later.

“He was a fantastic representative,” said Cllr Damien Ryan, who also highlighted his successful business career. "He was well-known and renowned right around this county," added Cllr Ryan.

 “He served the people of Castlebar and Ballina with distinction and helped a lot of people down through the years,” said Cllr Blackie Gavin.

Cllr Gavin recalled Michael Joe's eye-catching election campaigns.

“He was known all over the country and he had a great logo on his election posters. He put “Vote No 1 Michael Joe, a man you know!’ 

“I didn’t serve with Michael Joe but I am certainly familiar with the extraordinary contribution he made to the people of Balla, Castlebar, and Mayo.

“He was a formidable character in the by-election of 1975. The man who was to become Taoiseach Enda Kenny was probably an unbeatable candidate at that time but the performance of Michael Joe was extraordinary given the circumstances of that election," said Cllr Al McDonnell.

“He was revered in Balla and rightly so,” he added.

A total gentleman, a great character and a really intelligent guy, stated Cllr Michael Burke.

Cllr Cyril Burke said that despite different political allegiances, Michael Joe McGreal was a great family friend and his contribution to the county will always be remembered.

Tributes were also paid to the late Geraldine Bourke.

A native of Abbey Street, Ballina, Geraldine Bourke lived in Coolcran, Ballina and served as a member of Mayo County Council for the Ballina Electoral Area from 1994 to 1999.

Councillors paid her tremendous dignity and dedication to her local area. Ms Bourke was co-opted onto the Council following the death of her husband, Padraic who had served as a councillor since 1979.