Tributes paid at special Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District meeting to the late Liam O'Dwyer

Former Carrick-on-Suir councillor, the late Liam O’Dwyer, was remembered as a “great Carrick man” and “larger than life character” by former political colleagues and current councillors at a special meeting of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District. 

A vote of sympathy was passed  to  the family of the former Independent councillor and singer at the meeting in Carrick Town Hall on Friday, December 30 shortly before his  funeral.  Glowing tributes were paid by his former council colleagues and friends, who shared happy memories and anecdotes about Liam.   

Former Fianna Fáil councillor Patsy Murphy, who proposed the vote of sympathy, recalled that Liam was first elected to Carrick UDC in 1974. He joined him on the council in 1985 and served alongside him until the end of his political career in 2004. 

He said he was very saddened to hear of Liam’s death and recalled meeting him out shopping and talking to him about his plans to bring out his CD Heartfelt.

 He was delighted Liam’s dream to release the CD came to fruition.

 Former Labour Senator Denis Landy, who seconded the vote of sympathy, said Liam was one of the longest serving councillors in the history of the local authority in Carrick. 

He remembered  one election in the 1990s where  Liam retained his seat by a single vote beating  fellow Independent, the late Jackie Lalor for the final seat.  

“I believe Liam was born with theatrical skills and stage craft and used them to great effect in his musical career and in the council chamber upstairs,” he said referring to the Town Hall’s former council chamber.  

He remembered enjoying a lot of good nights with Liam but one in particular stood out.   

“We were at a conference up the country and had a nice meal and were sitting down afterwards for a few drinks and music.

“ It turned out the band were very poor so we prevailed upon Liam to do his thing. 

“He put Joe Dolan to shame. He took the mic and sang for half an hour. That is my happy memory of Liam.”  

Carrick-on-Suir Fianna Fáil councillor Kieran Bourke said he never had the experience of serving with Liam on the council but he knew him very well and he was a good friend. 

He recalled that even though Liam was retired from political life, he often called to his constituency office to give him advice. 

And he remembered the  election when  Liam was first elected to Carrick Urban District Council in May 1974.

 He was the “singing councillor” who topped the poll with 278 first preference votes after an impressive election campaign involving a huge crowd of canvassers.  

He said Liam served the people of Carrick very, very well and loved being a councillor and particularly loved being council Chairman, a position he held on three occasions. 

When Liam chaired council meetings, Cllr Bourke recalled he would always stand up, take time to button his jacket before addressing his fellow councillors and council officials.  

Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne of Sinn Féin, meanwhile, also paid tribute to Liam. He was  a very well known man in Carrick, whom he knew through his involvement in music, sport and the Davins GAA Club.

Former Fine Gael councillor David Shee described Liam as  a “great Carrick man” who was also great fun. 

He recalled the first time he ever saw Liam  was when he performed the role of Joseph in a renowned Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society production of Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat  in the Strand Theatre during the 1970s.

 “It was the best show I was ever at. It was magnificent.” 

He said Liam brought that talent to his role in the council chamber. 

“He was some performer here. He had a lot of opposition but he was able to hold his ground.” 

Mr Shee added that Liam loved being council Chairman and did a great job in the role.

 “It’s a sad day for the town. He was a great Carrick man,” he concluded. 

Former Independent councillor Richie O’Neill said Liam had been one of his best friends and his heart was broken at the news of his death.

 He recalled  canvassing for Liam in 1974 when he was first elected to the council. He later went onto to be elected himself to the council and he credited the support he received from Liam for his election to the position of the town’s Mayor. 

Tributes were also paid to Liam at the meeting by former councillors Josie Waters, Pat Burke, Tony Kehoe and Sarah Dunne, who is related to Liam, and current Independent Cllr Kevin O’Meara from Mullinahone.