Tributes paid to late Cavan County Councillor Sean Smith

Tributes have been made this week to FF Cllr Sean Smith from Bawnboy who died peacefully at home in the loving care of his family after a long illness bravely borne on Sunday.

Blacklion Cllr John Paul Feeley stated “I am very sorry to hear the of the death of Councillor Sean Smith. He had borne his long illness stoically, continuing his dedicated service on Cavan County Council, most recently joining the Corporate Policy Group Meeting on Thursday, January 5 and the Monthly Meeting on Monday, January 9 online.

“Sean was first elected to Cavan County Council in 1979. He worked closely with his father, the late John Smith, in the years prior to that and continued his father’s record of public service continuously since that time. He served as Cathaoirleach on two separate occasions over that time.

“Not only has he given extraordinary service to his community and the county over those years, he also represented County Cavan on many bodies including the Association of County and City Councils and the previous General Council, LAMA, the Northern & Western Regional Assembly and most recently on the Cavan/Monaghan ETB.

“He was a passionate advocate for local education, particularly for St Mogue’s College, Bawnboy and St Bricin’s College, Belturbet.

“I have known Sean all of my life, my own father having served on the Council with him from 1985. I always valued and respected his wise judgement, clear thinking, insight and practical approach.

“He brought his years of experience, determination and good humour to bear on his work on behalf of his constituents and communities around the County. He never shied from debate and was always proudly a faithful spokesperson for our Fianna Fáil Party.

“He was a particularly strong advocate on agricultural issues, being a very hard working and progressive farmer. His commitment to farming interests and community was best exemplified in his work on securing the re-opening of the Ballinamore/Ballyconnell Canal now the Shannon-Erne Waterway and working with landowners to ensure that this would not negatively impact their farms.

“I offer my sincere condolences to Ann, Emer, Áine, Killian and Conor, their spouses and financée, his grandchildren, of whom he was especially proud, and wider family, his brothers and sister, especially his brother, Deputy Brendan.”

Seán McKiernan Jnr, former Chairman of both Cavan County Council and Cavan/Monaghan ET and former Vice Chairman, Fine Gael National Executive also paid tribute saying “I want to join with representatives of his own Party (Fianna Fail) in paying tribute to the late Councillor Seán Smith from Bawnboy.

“I was saddened to learn on Sunday of the death of Seán, who was my colleague on Cavan County Council between 2007 to 2014.

“We also served for a period together on the Board of St Mogue's College in Bawnboy.
“Seán was a staunch and vigorous defender of the values and interests of both his community and his party, and we often had vigorous debate in public and in private about these issues. However, once meetings concluded, there was also a hearty laugh, pat on the shoulder and rarely any hard feelings.

“Even if you did not agree with Seán's views, you had to acknowledge he was passionate and always well researched in his contributions.

“I found him to be a gentleman in any of my dealings with him, particularly during my time as Chairman, and as leader of the Fine Gael Party, on Cavan County Council.

“Whilst we were not related, he did have distant cousins in common, something we often discussed and which aided the finding of common ground.

“The manner in which he continued his representational duties for his community and his party in spite of battling illness in recent years was inspirational. His family, community and party can all be very proud of that.

“I want to extend my sympathy to his wife Anne, their children, his brother Deputy Brendan Smith and all of the Smith family on their loss.
“May Seán Rest In Peace.”