Tributes to a politician who was 'always progressive'

Members of Ballina Municipal District have paid tribute to former councillor and senator Ernie Caffrey, whose death occurred earlier this month. 

Opening the tributes at the June meeting of the authority, Fine Gael Cllr Marie Therese Duffy proposed a vote of sympathy on behalf of the council to Mr Caffrey's family.

"Ernie served on Ballina Town Council and also as a county councillor and senator. He was someone who was very impactful, always very approachable, a community man and politician. He was also a talented athlete and a loyal supporter of Fine Gael, and I propose we adjourn this meeting early today in memory of Ernie and as a tribute to his work in Ballina.” 

Cllr Duffy's proposal was seconded by Cllr John O’Hara who stated: “Ernie was a great man and a great supporter of Fine Gael all his life, as well as of everything that happened in Ballina, where he was utterly behind any project for the town. 

"He was probably a man before his time as he was the first to push for making sure work and business could be done online. He was mad to get that capacity into the town, so that our businesses would be able to work online and have no excuses and for Ballina to attract more industry. 

"He was originally a Sligo man but once he came to Ballina, he was a Ballina man, and if he thought something was right and good for the town, he would back it, no matter who was promoting it.” 

Cllr Annie May Reape said she also wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy for an old friend.

"I could go on forever about Ernie but if he knew we were praising him, he would not be happy, as it was not his style." 

She added: “He was a great Fine Gael man, but he had no enemy in any party, and I can call him one of my besties on the council.” 

Cllr Reape noted that Mr Caffrey was originally from Castleconnor in Co Sligo, saying that the family house is still there, and he always prided himself on his Sligo roots even though he was a committed Ballina man. 

“He ran a successful arts and craft shop and business and had a great rapport with people from Sligo and Mayo down through the years."

Cllr Michael Loftus said he would never forget Mr Caffrey's presentation of a block from the Blewitt homestead to US President Joe Biden on his visit to Ballina in 2023. Mr Biden's ancestral home was located behind Mr Caffrey's shop.

“It was such a lovely touch on behalf of Ernie and really showed the man and the great individual he was.” 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly added: “Ernie is one of the esteemed people pictured on the wall display of former Cathaoirlaigh behind us. He is forever associated with being progressive for Ballina and attracting investment and employment here. He went on to have a career in athletics in the twilight of his life and will be remembered for the quality of the man he was and a life well lived.” 

Head of Ballina Municipal District Anna Connor extended sympathy on behalf of the council staff to Mr Caffrey's family.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.