The late Billy Shoer was 'a tireless worker' for the ordinary people of Tipperary

Clonmel’s Mayor Pat English has paid tribute to Billy Shoer, his Workers and Unemployed Action Group (WUAG) colleague and former Mayor of Clonmel, who passed away last week.

72-year-old Mr Shoer, who was originally from Nenagh, was also a member of South Tipperary County Council and Clonmel Borough Council for many years.

He was Deputy Mayor of Clonmel from 2003-2004 and Mayor from 2012-2013.

Describing him as “a true gentleman,” Cllr English said he was a fantastic public representative, spanning a period of 20 years, a lifetime of service to his adopted town.

“He loved the cut and thrust of local politics and was at the forefront of many important events in this town,” he stated.

“A shop steward with Ronans, a member of the ATGWU and President of Clonmel Trades Council, he was very helpful and available to many workers, and educated himself in the law of the trade union for both Ireland and England.

“He was a member of our Workers and Unemployed Action Group since the early 1980s until his untimely death and served the group with distinction.

“He was always to the forefront when it came to the various campaigns the group was involved with, such as the fight to retain the South Tipperary hospital services, the successful battle against unjust water charges, the unsuccessful campaign to retain Kickham Barracks and the fight to reinstate St Michael’s Hospital in Clonmel”.

The Mayor said he had also campaigned against the closure of Clonmel Borough Council and the amalgamation of North and South Tipperary County Councils, and had warned of the dangers of the abolition of town councils.

During his mayoralty he had opened up the Town Hall to the people of Clonmel.

“He told me it was one of the proudest moments of his life to serve as Clonmel’s first citizen,” said Cllr English.

“Billy was also very much involved with the sporting and cultural life of Clonmel. He was a player, committee member and President of Clonmel Rugby Club, one of the town’s oldest sporting organisations.

“He helped the local wheelchair association, going door to door every year collecting funds for the organisation. He also helped with many other sports clubs throughout his life.

“One of his true loves was singing. He had a beautiful voice, and was one of the most active members of St Mary’s Church Choir in Irishtown”.

Cllr English said that another favourite pastime of Billy’s was travelling the length and breadth of Ireland in his camper van with his wife Mary, when they explored the history of every corner of Ireland and fished in most of its rivers and lakes.

“I enjoyed working with Billy on both Clonmel Borough Council and Tipperary County Council. Billy was always very helpful, no matter what party you represented, and would give advice to you if he thought it would help you in any way.

“We lay to rest today one of life’s gentlemen, a tireless worker on behalf of the ordinary man and woman. A man who will be missed by the many he encountered during his life”.

Cllr English’s colleagues on Clonmel Borough District also paid tribute to Billy Shoer at a special meeting held at the Town Hall before his Funeral Mass last Sunday.

Mr Shoer also served on a number of County and Borough Council committees including the Strategic Policy Committee for Physical Planning and Environment, the Economic Programme Management Committee, the County Museum Committee, the County Burial Grounds Committee, the Anti-Social Behaviour Committee and the Anti-Litter Committee.

He was a lifelong trade unionist with the ATGWU/Unite trade union, acting as shop steward for 17 years at John Ronan and Sons. He was President of Clonmel Trades Council from 2003/2004 and studied labour law in Ireland and England.

Mr Shoer, who lived with his family in Albert Street, was a long standing member of Clonmel Rugby Club, serving as its president on two occasions. He coached the seconds, underage and ladies teams.

He was also a member of St Mary’s Church Choir and was its chairperson on four occasions.

He occupied many other positions during a lifetime of community service, including his role as South Tipperary Co-Coordinator of the Motor Insurance Justice Action Group.

He was a member of the Health Service Executive Regional Forum South, the Save Our Hospital Committee and was a committee member of the No Name Club/Club4U.

Billy Shoer was buried at St Patrick’s Cemetery, Clonmel, last Sunday, following Funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church, Irishtown, where he had sung for many years with the church choir.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Mary, daughter Veronica, sons Paul, Billy, John, Ned and Keith, mother Kitty, brothers Michael and John, sisters Nora, Teresa, Peggy and Mary, grandchildren Kiefer, Kian, Jordan, Naomi, Saffron, Aimee, Charlie, Ethan and Brady, great-grandchildren Lily, Avery and Tyler, aunt Biddy, daughters-in-law Jodi, Carolyn, Helen, Tricia and Seini, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

May he rest in peace.