Council meeting adjourned as mark of respect on death of Eoin Farrell

The July meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District was adjourned yesterday, Monday, as a mark of respect after the untimely passing of Eoin Farrell, son of Cllr Tom Farrell.

Before the brief meeting adjourned, tributes were paid to the GAA stalwart who had been battling a serious illness for the last year, and who passed away in South Westmeath Hospice on Sunday.

Opening the meeting, which was held by video conference, Cllr Vinny McCormack, offered “heartfelt condolences” to his council colleague, Tom Farrell and his wife, Goretti, on the tragic passing of Eoin, and also extended the sympathies of the council to Eoin’s wife, Eimear, and the Murphy family.

“I would also like to extend my sympathies to the many people who were privileged to be able to call Eoin Farrell a friend,” he added.

Cllr McCormack said the decision had been taken to adjourn the meeting as a mark to respect to the memory of Eoin Farrell, who was fondly known as Eoinie to family and friends.

Cllr John Dolan said he knew of Eoin Farrell’s illness “for about a year” but that the extended family had “remained very positive” throughout. When he received a call from Cllr Farrell informing him of the awful passing of Eoin, he said he had been left “numb and sick to the bottom of my stomach”.

“All we can do now is support the family in any way we can,” he said, adding that Cllr Farrell had asked him to take his motions and questions at the council meeting. “Tom Farrell is a public representative to his core, and even at his lowest hour, duty had to be done,” said Cllr Dolan.

Cllr Paul Hogan recalled how he has been in the same class as the late Eoin Farrell at the Marist College in 1995, and he fondly recalled the “very significant contribution” he had made to the GAA in Westmeath at both club and county level.

“For a young man to be taken in his prime is very tough,” said Cllr Johnnie Penrose, who said the local community will give the extended Farrell and Murphy families “every support they can” in the difficult days and months ahead.

Cllr Liam McDaniel recalled how he has been battling his own illness and had been “laid up” for the last nine months and “not a week has gone by” when Cllr Tom Farrell didn’t ring him to see how he was doing.

“Even on his last visit to Tullamore hospital to visit Eoin, he managed to sneak in to see me,” said Cllr McDaniel, who said his “thoughts and prayers” were with the young man’s wife, family and friends.

“He was a gentleman both on and off the field, and to borrow the words of his father, he was a team player, not just on the field of play, but in his work and within his family, and all we can do is offer our support in any way we can.”

Cllr Frankie Keena, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a message of condolence to the Farrell and Murphy families on behalf of himself and his wife, Siobhán, and Cllr Louise Heavin also joined in the expressions of sympathy from council members.

On behalf of the executive and staff of Westmeath County Council, director of services, Barry Kehoe, extended the deepest sympathies of the local authority to the members of the Farrell and Murphy families, and said it was “a very sad and tough time” for everyone who knew the young Walderstown man. He assured the families of the “strong support” of the council.

Cllr Dolan told members that Cllr Tom Farrell was “deeply appreciative” of the gesture to adjourn the monthly meeting (which has been rescheduled for 3pm on Monday July 11).

Funeral details have been announced for the late Eoin Farrell. His remains will repose at Flynn’s Funeral Home in Moate today Tuesday July 5 from 4.30pm, concluding with prayers at 8pm.

Removal is tomorrow Wednesday morning to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drumraney at 11.50am for funeral prayers. Eoin’s funeral Mass is 12 noon and burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Eoin is survived by his adored wife Eimear and is a beloved son of Tom and Goretti (née Flanagan). He will be greatly missed by his loving family, brothers Eddie, Conor, Trevor and Ronan, sisters Karen and Lorraine, father-in-law, PJ Murphy, relatives and a wide circle of neighbours and friends.