Tributes paid to respected Loughmacrory councillor

HEARTFELT tributes have been widely paid to well-known and highly-respected councillor from Loughmacrory, Sean Donnelly, who has passed away today at the age of 74, in the company of his family.

Mr Donnelly, who was an uncle of West Tyrone MLA, Declan McAleer, was a lifelong community activist and Gael, who represented the people of Loughmacrory and mid-Tyrone for the last ten years as a local councillor.

MLA Declan McAleer, reflecting on his uncle and colleague’s life, in the wake of his passing, said, “The whole community has been devastated by the loss of Sean.

Mr McAleer continued, “Sean was a profoundly well-liked member of the Loughmacrory and wider mid-Tyrone community who represented the people of the that area with great distinction for many years.”

Mr Donnelly was elected first to the Omagh District Council back in 2011, before enjoying reelection in amalgamated Fermanagh and Omagh Council in 2014 and again in 2019.

“Sean was a hard-working farmer and he never missed an opportunity to push issues faced by his rural peers.”

Turning to Mr Donnelly in his capacity within Loughmacrory GAA Club, Mr McAleer said, “Sean was one of the founding members of Loughmacrory GAA club and his lifelong involvement was officially recognised by Tyrone GAA when he was given a Credo Award – an honour bestowed on people who have served Gaelic games for half a century or more.

But Declan said that above accolades and official achievements, Mr Donnelly will be best remembered for his ‘larger than life personality’.

“He was my uncle so I, along with the rest of the family, feel the sense of loss acutely, but he felt like an uncle to so many within the community.

“Sean had an endearing way about him that people could not help but warm to – he was good natured, had time for everyone, and would stop and speak no matter what was going on,” said Declan.

“His loss will be felt profoundly by Sinn Fein, Loughmacrory GAA, his many friends, and most of all his family; wife, Ita, and four children, Tanya, Shane, Eunan, and Caoimhe.”

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, has also expressed his deep sense of sorrow and those of his fellow elected Members.

Councillor Thompson said, “I was deeply saddened to learn of Sean’s passing. He was a committed Councillor who worked diligently on behalf of the people of Mid Tyrone. His cheerful demeanour and good nature will be missed in the Chamber.”