‘A powerful advocate for his county and party’ - Cllrs

Always a “gentleman”, the “epitome” of one who dedicates their life to public service. Those were among the tributes paid to the late Sean Smith for his “selfless” approach as a local elected representative, his hard work and ultimate dedication to representing his county and community.

These sentiments and more were shared at a special meeting of Cavan County Council convened last Friday, an event in the main chamber attended by family members of the late Cllr Smith and several close friends.

First elected in 1979, representing the Belturbet Electoral Area, Cllr Smith followed the tradition of his father John F. Smith and continued to represent the people of Cavan with distinction for 43 years, winning re-election on seven successive occasions.

A member of the Fianna Fáil party, he held the position of Cathaoirleach from 1989-90, and again from 2003-04.

He was a member of many committees, including the board of Cavan Monaghan ETB, and was the sitting chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

During his life Cllr Smith also a member of, among others, LAMA, the North West Regional Health Authority, and sat on the Board of Management of St Mogue’s college in Bawnboy.

Cllr Smith sadly passed away on Sunday, January 15, peacefully at home in the care of his family after a long illness bravely borne.

Leading the tributes to his former party colleague, Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley said that Cllr Smith was “passionate” about education, becoming greatly involved in the campaign to save both St Mogue’s and St Bricin’s in Belturbet.

He did so because of his “deep understanding of people” and the needs of his community.

Cllr Smith’s other great interests were the upkeep of roads and agriculture, showing guile in debate where others went gung-ho.

“Sean knew the fights to take or when to come at them from a different angle,” said Cllr Feeley.

Cllr Smith had been a “powerful advocate for his county and party”, something acknowledged by the attendance of so many at his removal and funeral, including Tánaiste and party leader Micheál Martin.

Most of all however, Cllr Feeley said that Cllr Smith was “proud” of his family and their achievements.

Leas Cathaoirleach Patricia Walsh said it had been a “privilege” to serve the county alongside Cllr Smith.

It was a sentiment shared by so many others.

Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty said he had enjoyed a phonecall with Cllr Smith just before Christmas. Despite their differences in politics, he said the two men share a singular dedication - working for “proper services for our area”.

Independent Brendan Fay said, as a fledging councillor, Cllr Smith was a “rock of sense”, while Madeleine Argue (FG) noted how Cllr Smith had carried the same steely determination as displayed in his football playing days to the council chamber.

“He was never afraid to tell you when you were wrong,” remembers Clifford Kelly (FF), who added that, once the debate had ended, whatever the earlier disagreement had been, Cllr Smith was always prepared to “move on”.

“It was pleasure to have known Sean, to have worked with him, because he was a man of conviction,” said Cllr Kelly. “He’ll be sadly missed”.

Cllr T.P. O’Reilly wasn’t the first to describe the late Cllr Smith as a “gentleman” as did Craig Lovett (FF) and Val Smith (FG), who told his family that they could be “very proud” of all that their father, grandfather and brother had achieved.

Cllr Philip Brady (FF) fondly remembered Cllr Smith coming up to him after he got elected and how delighted he appeared. Similarly, Aiden Fitzpatrick (FF) was overwhelmed that Cllr Smith had made the effort to travel to Tullyvin to congratulate him after he was elected.

Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly also shared memories of her interactions with him. This time it was at the first meeting he attended as a member of the ETB and provided an impassioned speech about saving the two West Cavan secondary schools. “I’d never seen the like of it before.”

That passion was something that also left an impression on Cllr Trevor Smith (FG).

Cllr Paddy McDonald (SF) noted Cllr Smith’s dedication to community. So too did Cllr Winston Bennett (FG), with Cllr Shane P O’Reilly (Ind) remarking how the late Cllr Smith was the “epitome” of what it was to be an elected official. “Tired hands are resting.”

Before a minute's silence was observed, the CEO of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan, also spoke in memory of the late Cllr Smith. He described him as a “people person” who gave of himself to so many, in “selfless and honourable” manner.

Director of Services Paddy Connaughton said that Cllr Smith in particular was a “hard man to say no to” primarily because you knew that, if you did, “he’d be coming back at you another time”.

He would remember of Cllr Smith his “dogged determination and sense of fairness”.

“He was always professional in what he did,” regarded Brendan Jennings, Director of Services. “He made you want to work for him.”

There were tributes too from directors of service -Eoin Doyle and Margaret McNally.

Cllr Smith was laid to rest in his native Bawnboy on Tuesday of last week.