THERE was great sadness in Dublin West last week with news that former Castleknock Labour Party councillor Peggy Hamill had passed away.
Tanaiste and outgoing Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, led the tributes to Peggy and offered sympathies to her family and friends.
“My thoughts first and foremost are with her three children Aisling, Gerard and Christopher, her six grandchildren and her brothers and sisters,
? he said.
“Peggy was a Labour stalwart in Dublin West, and I would like to offer my sympathies to all Party members in the constituency, but in particular to her good friend and colleague Joan Burton.
“She was especially active in the Castleknock area. Nothing moved in the area without Peggy knowing about it and I know she will be sorely missed by Joan and all her team.
“According to Peggy herself, her greatest honour was to serve her community as a member of Fingal County Council, a position she held with distinction for over a decade.
“Peggy was the kind of person who lit up a room when she walked in. She was a great storyteller and her sense of humour and genuine warmth will be missed by all of those who knew her.
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Labour councillor, Cian O’Callaghan, said he was sorry to hear of her passing.
“She was passionate and strong and brought a warm humour to council meetings,
? he added.
Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, also passed on his condolences.
“I’m saddened to hear of the death of my former Deputy Mayor, Peggy Hamill,
? he said in a tweet.
“May she rest in peace.
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Peggy Hamill was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in July 2003 following the election of Joan Burton to the Dáil in the previous year’s general election.
Peggy retained the seat when she stood for election the following year and was re-elected again in the 2009 local elections. She retired last December for health reasons.