Tributes to Eddie Staunton

Glowing tributes were paid to the late Eddie Staunton at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

Mr Staunton served as a councillor for 33 years from 1981 to 2014. One of the highlights of his impressive political career was his term as Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council in 2004-2005.

Councillors expressed sympathy to the Staunton family on their loss and paid hearfelt tributes to Mr Staunton.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said Mr Staunton has left a legacy in his native Moygownagh, Crossmolina, and the entire county.

“He served the county with great distinction,” said Cllr Munnelly.

“He was a wonderful councillor and such a dedicated man,” added Cllr Michael Burke “He was the grandfather or godfather of the Fine Gael side of the house,” said Cllr Damien Ryan.

“He was an articulate councillor, who said what he thought and spoke as he saw it. He was fantastic ambassador for North Mayo and the county at large,” Cllr Ryan added.

“A gentleman, a great character and a hard-working councillor who will be sadly missed,” said Cllr Blackie Gavin.

“Eddie Staunton was unique. He was an extraordinary character,” said Cllr Al McDonnell.

“He was as popular on our side of the house as he was in Fine Gael,” he added.

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Murray paid tribute to Mr Staunton’s work ethic and ebullient personality. “He was always good fun, and good craic.” Cllr Seamus Weir recalled fondly Eddie’s passion which would sometimes spill over when they sat alongside each other.

“If something was said on the other side of the house, Eddie would start working the elbows here!” “He did so much for his community,” added Cllr Weir.

.Councillors highlighted the Moygownagh man’s musical prowess.

“Give him an accordion and he would entertain an audience in Castlebar, any part of Mayo, and even New York,” said Cllr McDonnell.

“My earlier memory of Eddie Staunton was him coming to my house when I was about four or five years old and playing my mother’s accordion. There are two things I remember about Eddie Staunton. One was him playing the accordion and the other was he would get my mother smoking! They knew each other as kids growing up,” said Cllr Munnelly.

The meeting heard that always by Eddie’s side was his wife Margaret who played a leading role in his political career. “Margaret was right by his side throughout their whole married life. During the political years she played a key part in the Eddie Staunton story,” said Cllr Munnelly.

“That doesn’t happen very often in politics,” added Cllr Peter Flynn. “Regardless of the function or event Margaret was there,” he added.

Cllr John Cribbin said the couple were an incredible team. "Eddie would often say Margaret was real councillor not him!"

The meeting also heard tributes to the late Tom Burke, the brother of Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke and Senator Paddy Burke. Councillors recalled the lasting contribution he made and the young lives he influenced during his time as Principal of Mountbellew Agricultural College