THE brother of the late Independent TD Tony Gregory believes the new bridge under construction across the River Liffey should be named in his honour.
In an interview with Northside People, Noel Gregory told how his brother fought his cancer battle with
“fortitude and privacy
?.
Tony Gregory, who was a champion of the inner city and the most marginalised in society, passed away at the age of 61 in January 2009.
He had served as a city councillor for almost a quarter of a century and was a TD for 27 years.
His rebellious, fearless,
‘man of the people’ spirit won him the hearts and respect of his constituents.
He famously landed the
‘Gregory Deal’ in which he secured a massive cash-injection for the north inner city in return for his support of Charles Haughey as Taoiseach.
According to Noel Gregory, naming the new Liffey bridge – which will connect Marlborough Street at Eden Quay to Hawkins Street at Burgh Quay -after Tony would be a fitting tribute.
“The bridge is in his constituency where he championed for urban regeneration and for the rights of street traders,
? he told Northside People.
“He showed true courage and conviction in his struggle to clear the streets of heroin at a time when it was rife and he shone a light on the problems of the north inner city.
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Noel, who was Tony’s only sibling and was two years his senior, said his brother would still be fighting for the rights of the marginalised if he were still alive.
“He’d still be a TD today were it not for his untimely death,
? he stated.
“He worked tirelessly for his constituents. Sometimes I think he wore himself out working the way he did.
“They don’t know definitely what the cause of cancer is but I think if stress was a factor then that was to blame. Tony certainly had a lot of stress in his life.
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Noel, who said his brother is still very much missed, recalled what he was like as a sibling.
“He was very protective of me and would have done anything for me,
? Noel stated.
“If you had a problem he would be there for you every day, no matter how busy he was. I think it was that caring and accessible nature that won him the hearts of so many people.
“He showed great fortitude and courage in his battle with cancer. He never really talked about it and I’m sure his colleagues in the Dail didn’t know how near the end he was.
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Noel believes the
‘Tony Gregory Bridge’ would be a fitting way to honour his life and contribution to the north inner city.
“It would be a nice counter-balance to the Frank Sherwin Bridge further up the Liffey, or maybe the bridge could simply be named the Gregory Bridge, as I know Tony would love to share it with Lady Gregory, whose beloved Abbey Theatre stands near the foot of the new bridge,
? he added.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath (Ind) is among those who are already backing the proposal to name the new Liffey bridge in honour of Tony Gregory.
“It is a great idea and recognises the great work done by Tony over the years and also as a landmark for the future,
? said Deputy McGrath.
“I will be pushing this in the Dail and with City Hall.
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