Former TD laid to rest
A former Cork County Councillor and TD was laid to rest this week with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying he was deeply saddened by his death.
Former Fianna Fáil TD Donal Moynihan’s funeral took place on Monday. Speaking as news broke about Donal Moynihan’s passing, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Donal was a very good friend of his.
Donal was a native of Gort na Scairte, between Ballymakeera and Coolea. He was a lifelong member of Fianna Fáil.
He was first elected to Cork County Council in 1970, being co-opted to fill the council seat held by his father Jamie since the foundation of the state. Donal went on to represent Cork North West in Dáil Eireann in a long and distinguished career, serving as TD between 1982 and 1989 and 1992 and 2007.
An Taoiseach and Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil Micheál Martin said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of my very good friend Donal Moynihan. Donal was a passionate and deeply committed public representative. His service to, and love of, his community was deeply impressive and unmatched.”
He said Donal was a proud Gort na Scairte man and was rooted in his community, the rich Cork Gaeltacht and its history, heritage and language shaped him.
"Irish was his first language, a language he loved and which he spoke with great richness and pride. He loved his native Gaeltacht community and worked tirelessly throughout his public life to improve the lives of those in this community and wider constituency. Donal was passionate about community development and had an intimate knowledge of, and appreciation for, agriculture and its critical role in the lives of his community and its people,” he added.
He said Donal’s father, Jamie, fought in the War of Independence and served as councillor for many decades.
He continued: “It was into this tradition that Donal was born and from his early days as a councillor, and later as a TD, displayed a true republican ethos.
Donal was authentic and had a great sense of place and pride in where he was from.
“Throughout his long and distinguished public career, he displayed an unstinting commitment and loyalty to his constituents and worked tirelessly on their behalf, always advocating for them.
"Following his retirement, Donal was proud to see this commitment to public service carried on by his son Aindrias and daughter Gobnait.
"Is mór an chailliúint dá theaghlach, dá ghaolta, do phobal Bhaile Mhic Íre, Baile Bhúirne agus Cúil Aodha i nGaeltacht Mhúscraí,agus do pháirtí Fhianna Fáil é bás Dhónaill Uí Mhuimhneacháin. Is mór an chúis bhróin don pháirtí é a bhás.
“Sárpholaiteoir a rugadh agus a tógadh i nGort na Scairte, Baile Mhic Íre agus ba léir gur chaith Dónall féin agus a mhuintir féin roimhe a saol ag freastal ar mhuintir an cheantair. Leanann an tseirbhís ar aghaidh suas go dtí an lá atá inniu ann.”