Former Mayor of Waterford Jack Walsh will be sadly missed

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has expressed his sadness on the death of former Mayor of Waterford and local representative Jack Walsh following a very short illness, and expressed his condolences to his family, friends and former constituents.

Deputy Howlin said:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of my colleague, former Labour Waterford City Councillor and local area representative Jack Walsh who only recently had been selected in September to contest the upcoming local elections for Waterford City East.

“Just two months ago, Jack Walsh was on the podium at our Party conference in Dublin – speaking with the great insight he always had when addressing issues of importance to Waterford and wider society.

“I want to express my sympathy to his wife Vera, children Nina and Lynn, his brothers – serving Labour Cllr Tomás Breathnach, and former Kilkenny Cllr Joe Walsh, his extended family, friends and constituents. I know they will miss him greatly and may he rest in peace.

“Jack had a distinguished career in local Government serving as a Waterford City Councillor for ten years, and was Mayor of Waterford City from 2008 to 2009. He was also during this time, a distinguished Chairman of the City of Waterford V.E.C.

“Originally from Kilmacow in Co. Kilkenny, public service ran in his family, and while he served as Mayor of Waterford in 2008, his brother, sitting Cllr. Tomas Breathnach was simultaneously elected Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, while another brother Joe Walsh had also previously served as a Councillor in Kilkenny.

“During Jack’s time as a Councillor, he also went on to serve as a Director of both Waterford port and regional airport while also serving as a Governor of Waterford Institute of Technology.

“Steeped in the trade union movement, Jack was a proud SIPTU member, and associate member of the C.W.U, and was formerly President of the Waterford Trades Council. After retiring from Eircom where he worked as an Engineering Manager he went on to work with Waterford Area Partnership.

“As constituency director of elections for both Dáil and Presidential election contests he always ensured the Labour vote was targeted and turned out.

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

“Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.”