There was shock and sadness at the news that former Laois county councillor and General Election candidate, John Moran, had passed away yesterday.
Mr Moran, who was a Fine Gael councillor in Laois from 1991 to 2019, died in hospital in Dublin. He was aged 74.
Politicians from across the spectrum lined up to pay tribute to their late friend and colleague.
From Killeen, John was a hugely popular member of the council for almost 30 years. He was a General Election candidate in 2011 alongside long-time Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan.
Mr Flanagan said: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of former Councillor John Moran from Ballylinan.
“John was a towering figure on Laois County Council for many years, where he served the people of the Lugguacurran area with great distinction.
“John’s year as Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council in 2007 was the highlight of his political career. He enjoyed every minute in his role as first citizen and he carried out his duties with great energy and pride.
“John Moran was always cheerful and personable to meet and offered his assistance to all no matter how big the challenge. As a public representative John was always accessible and loved meeting people and having a chat.
“John Moran was very much rooted in his rural community. He loved the land, farming, and ploughing and his volunteer work for local organisations and the National Ploughing Association was of immense value over the years.
“John was first and foremost a family man and the passing last year of his beloved wife Lorretta resulted in much sadness and grief.
“He was the leader of the Fine Gael organisation in South Laois, and he enjoyed attending national party conferences and Ardfheiseanna where he brought rural concerns and issue directly to Ministers and the party leadership.
“On a personal level, John Moran was a true friend who was always available for advice, guidance or a second opinion.
“I offer my sincere sympathies to his family Aisling, Caragh, Georgina, Robert and Marc and the wider Moran family.”
Anna May McHugh worked alongside John in the National Ploughing Association, where John played a key role.
“John was our exhibition supervisor at the Ploughing Championships. He would give three weeks of his time prior to the event every year. He did trojan work as a community worker.
“He was a gentleman; very courteous to everyone and always available. He was always ready and willing to do any job we ever asked him to do. As well as that, he was a real friend to me for years and years.
“We are deeply shocked at his passing and it is with great regret that we heard that he had passed away. As recently as June in Ratheniska he was at an organising committee for this year’s event and he contributed in a very positive way.”
Cllr John King, a Fine Gael colleague of John, said: “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the sudden pssing of John Moran, he was a great friend of mine.
“I want to pay tribute to his family and sympathise with his sons and daughters.
“When I became a new councillor 15 years ago, John and I became friends and we travelled to Brussels together on a few occasions.
“John, as a politician, was very kind and did his job very, very well. As a colleague and a friend, I miss him dearly. He is a huge loss to his family and to anybody who knew him.”
Cllr Willie Aird, also a colleague of John of John in Fine Gael, said: “I served with John from the first day he came into the Council until he retired.
“He was a true gentleman and very easy to work with – a very, very nice fella, John”
Padraig Fleming, though Fianna Fáil, was a colleague of John’s in the old Luggacurran area and the new Graiguecullen-Portarlington district.
“I was very sorry to hear of the passing of John,” Mr Fleming said.
“John was a total gentleman. He was also a great councillor for the people and worked very hard for everyone. I send my deepest sympathies to all John’s family and the extended family and friends.”
Funeral Arrangements:
Reposing at John’s residence from 12 noon on Friday afternoon (July 7th) with Rosary at 7pm.
Removal at 11.30am on Saturday morning to arrive at St Abban’s Church Killeen for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
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