Former Labour TD and lord mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan dies aged 81

Former Labour Party TD and lord mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan, who was previously a member of the Democratic Socialist Party, has died at the age of 81.A TD for Dublin South-Central from 2011 to 2016, he served as lord mayor from 2004 to 2005. He joined the Labour Party in 1990 following its merger with the Democratic Socialist Party, then led by Jim Kemmy. Originally from Calhame, Co Donegal, he served as a councillor for 20 years. He was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1991 for the Ballyfermot ward, topping the poll that year and again in 1999 and 2009.He was a teacher and subsequently became vice-principal of Inchicore College of Further Education.READ MOREConaghan resigned from the Labour Party in 1996 and served as an independent councillor, rejecting approaches from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to run for them in the 1997 general election.He rejoined Labour and served as Dublin’s lord mayor before his election to the Dáil in 2011. Standing down in 2016 aged 70, he said he had found his time as a backbencher to be a “disappointing” experience.“The council is where you get local things done: parks, swimming pools and so on. The Dáil compared to that is very disappointing. You don’t get involved in community delivery,” he said. “Unless you think you have some gift to give to legislation, it’s not a very exciting place. It’s not a very satisfying place from the point of view of getting things done.”However, he did enjoy his work on Oireachtas committees. “You can sit down with people from different parties and agree on things rather than arguing. People leave their party politics at the door and common sense and good ideas take over. You are working towards real objectives.”Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik TD paid tribute to the former TD, who she described as “an ardent champion of real Labour values”.“While originally from Donegal, Michael had a long and distinguished record in public service, serving the people of Ballyfermot, Inchicore and surrounding communities as their local councillor” and TD, she said. “Michael worked tirelessly to promote lifelong education and learning.“He was also renowned and respected for his interest in local history and the industrial heritage of his community.“As a member of the first Oireachtas all-party group on commemorations, one of his greatest political achievements was securing the preservation of Richmond Barracks as a cultural and educational hub for the people of the South-West Inner City and beyond, in the run up to the centenary of 1916.”Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron also extended his sympathies, and paying tribute said: “Michael served Dublin with distinction as a councillor, lord mayor and TD, and made a significant contribution to public life over many years.“He will be remembered with respect and appreciation for his dedicated service to the city and its people.”The former TD’s death notice said he died on Tuesday “peacefully at Cherry Orchard Hospital surrounded by his loving family”.He is survived by his wife Marian, daughters Heidi and Eve, grandchildren Sam and Ben, sisters Mary, Patricia, Angela and Susanna. He is predeceased by his brothers Patsy and Bernard.His funeral service takes place on Saturday at Ballyfermot Civic Community Centre at 11am with burial at Goldenbridge Cemetery.[ Funeral of Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker hears actor ‘lived a life full to the brim’Opens in new window ]