It’s claimed Donal Carey will be remembered as a ‘father figure’ by many in his native Clarecastle.
Funeral arrangements have been announced for the former Clare Minister of State and TD, who passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 88.
The Clarecastle native has been described as a great colleague to serve alongside in the Dáil and a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of Clare.
He served as a senator on the Labour Panel from 1981 until his election to government in 1982, where he served as a deputy until 2002, while in 1995 he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Former Clare TD and Senator, Madeline Taylor Quinn was elected alongside Donal Carey in the 1982 general election.
During the lifetime of the 24th Dáil, the pair met privately with then Taoiseach, Garrett Fitzgerald, to help preserve the transatlantic status of Shannon Airport.
However, she claims their election to government in 1982, which gave the party a foothold in the county, was one of their greatest political achievements.
Donal has also been remembered as a great neighbour, friend and servant to Clarecastle GAA.
He held the positions of President, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and took charge of many underage teams in the club and was renowned for ferrying huge numbers of players to games.
Former Clare hurler, partner of Berwick Solicitors LLP and best man at Donal Carey’s wedding, John Callinan, says he more than just a coach or friend to those in the area.
Clarecastle community activist, Paschal Russell, coached alongside Donal on an under 14 hurling team.
He says Donal’s mentoring and caring nature had a life long impact on his players off the field.
Donal Carey will lie in repose in Clarecastle Church on Friday from 4.30 pm, with funeral prayers at 7 pm and will be laid to rest following his funeral mass in Clarecastle Church at 11 am.
He is predeceased by his wife Evelyn and survived by his children Leonora, Joe and Donal, extended family and a wide circle of former colleagues and friends.
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