Tributes paid to Willie Penrose at Ballynacargy Labour branch AGM

It was a nostalgic occasion on Friday, October 7, as the members of Ballynacargy Labour Party branch held their AGM – the first since October 2018 in person, at the Parochial Hall.

It also heralded the first opportunity to the membership to pay tribute to long standing member, Willie Penrose, who retired from political life in January 2020, after rendering more than 50 years of service and activity since first becoming involved in October 1969.

Creagh Jordan, outgoing chairperson, said Willie was a person of principle and integrity, and had some huge achievements at local level.

He recalled the Labour Party input into the social housing that was built at Carraig Mór, and in more recent years, at Tower View, and remarked that the Labour Party was and is always committed to the building of local authority houses to enable people to get roofs over their heads.

Pat Boyce recalled Willie’s commitment to the refurbishing and reopening of the Royal Canal, on which the biggest harbour is in Ballynacargy. “Willie was instrumental in getting the slipway built there with OPW input, and also to getting Westmeath County Council to build the toilet and washing facilities close-by the harbour,” he said.

Joe Boyce, outgoing treasurer, who worked with Willie from the beginning of his electoral career, since the early ‘80s, recalled Willie’s significant intervention with then county manager Jack Taaffe, to have the lands which now form the industrial estate at Ballysallagh purchased.

“I hope that Willie’s dream of seeing an industry or two at that park will be soon realised, as I understand there is an economic feasibility study under way, which Cllr Johnnie Penrose has steadfastly promoted, and that it will bear fruit soon.”

Willie, in turn, thanked the branch membership for their loyalty, encouragement and support. “Notwithstanding our many ups and downs along the way, we have always fought the best we could to secure improvements for the people we represent.

“The one group of people I was a strong advocate for, were the carers of Ireland – thousands of unsung heroes throughout the country, and without whose input, the whole health system would collapse.

“They are our backbone, and they have been poorly treated to date, and even the recent budget represented a lost opportunity to remedy a deep injustice – there should be no means test for the receipt of Carers Allowance, and the Labour Party should again take up the mantle, and seek as I did over the years, to have the Carers Allowance means test abolished.

“It would enable more people be cared for in their home environments, where they are happiest, and costs just about €250 per week, whereas if these people had to go to nursing homes or elsewhere, it would cost the state up to €1,200 per week.

“It is a financial no-brainer for the state to abolish the means test for carers.”

A lively discussion then ensued about a range of topics, showing the membership have not lost their enthusiasm or commitment to deal with issues.

The necessity to secure land around Ballynacargy area for social housing was discussed, and Ancel Boyce said the importance of the state building affordable housing must likewise be pursued, and that could also be done by securing land, and the state, and especially the council, have a key role in that objective.

Mick Galvin spoke at length about the importance of the Labour Party since its foundation in 1912, and emphasised a public recruitment campaign utilising the press, social media and other platforms to recruit young members must now be employed.

As the meeting moved to the election of officers, there was further nostalgia involved, when Joe Boyce, whose family are synonymous with the Labour movement, back to its foundation in Ballynacargy in 1929, announced that after 41 years, he was stepping down as joint treasurer.

Having succeeded his late father Joe in 1981, he was joint treasurer with Birdie Penrose up until the date of his death in 2013, and with Tommy Maguire since.

Many tributes were paid to Joe for his outstanding service and commitment to the Labour Party for five decades, and “the books were always accurately kept, and in credit”, and as Shane Maher said: “Joe was like an auditor – his treasurer reports to the AGM was always superb and transparent.”

On the proposal of chairperson Creagh Jordan, the members agreed to nominate Joe Boyce to the position of life president of the Ballynacargy Branch.

It was decided to hold a fundraising raffle on February 24 next year, prizes to include: a large load of turf (a valuable prize), a TV, bicycle, lunches for two, and a number of other prizes; tickets €3 each or two for €5, and books of 12 tickets each.

The meeting concluded with the election of officers for 2022/2023: life presidents, John Boyce, Tony Maher, Tony Murtagh, Joe Boyce; chairperson, Creagh Jordan; vice-chairperson, Shane Maher; secretary, Pat Boyce; treasurers (joint) Tommy Maguire and Noel Aughey; PRO, Amy Ryan; registrars, Ancel Boyce, Cllr Johnnie Penrose, Pat Boyce; delegates to Constituency Council, Michael Molphy, Mick Phelan, Willie Penrose.

Membership fees are now due – they can also be paid online.