Carrick-on-Suir mourns death of highly respected former Fine Gael councillor Johnny Dowley

The highly respected and popular former Carrick-on-Suir councillor, Johnny Dowley, has passed away.

Mr Dowley from Connawaries, Carrickbeg died at Tipperary University Hospital last Saturday following a short illness.

Mr Dowley, who was aged in his mid-90s, was a Fine Gael member of the former Carrick-on-Suir Urban District Council for many years and was a former chairman of the council.

He was also involved with the former Waterford Foods Co-op for many years and was chairman of its board at the time it amalgamated with Avonmore Creameries in 1997.  

Former Carrick-on-Suir Fine Gael councillor Margaret Croke extended her deepest sympathy to Mr Dowley’s family and described him as an “outstanding public servant of the people”. She said even after he gave up local politics , people would go to him for help.

She recalled how Mr Dowley was very supportive to her during her years as a Fine Gael councillor on the former Carrick-on-Suir Town Council.

At the grand age of 92, he canvassed for Mrs Croke in the Grangemockler area when she was a Fine Gael candidate during the 2019 local election .

A special meeting of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s councillors was convened at Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon to pay tribute to Mr Dowley. It was attended by former councillors who served on Carrick Town Council and Carrick Urban District Council.

Mr Dowley's remains are reposing at Walsh’s Funeral Home in Carrick-on-Suir today (Tuesday, September 5) from 4.30pm to 7pm.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated tomorrow (Wednesday, September 6) at St Molleran’s Church, Carrickbeg at 11am and burial will take place afterwards at St Mary’s Cemetery, Carrick-on-Suir.

Mr Dowley is predeceased by his beloved wife Eily and son Mike and is survived by his daughters Mary, Helen and Ann, sons-in-law, Jimmy, John and Joe, his much loved grandchildren Eoin and Darren Cass, Elaine, Sarah and Brian Clifford, granddaughter-in-law Taylor Cass and his great-grandson Oliver Cass (USA), relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends.