Galway city councillors have extended a vote of sympathy on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro, and this collective condolence will be extended to the Cuban Ambassador in Ireland, Hermes Herrera Hernández.
The Vote of Sympathy was proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Mairéad Farrell and seconded by Cllr Billy Cameron of the Labour Party. It was taken at Monday's council meeting in City Hall. Speaking afterwards, Cllr Farrell said:
“I am delighted that our vote of sympathy marking the death of Fidel Castro was extened by City Hall. This week’s meeting was the first since Fidel’s death and so it was our first opportunity to propose such a vote."
She described Castro, who died on November 25, as, "leader of one of the most important revolutions of the 20th Century" whose "vision and lifetime of experience will be greatly missed by people all over the world".
The Galway city east councillor said the "ground breaking successes in healthcare and education" that Fidel oversaw in Cuba, as well as Cuba's internationalism, remains "an inspiration to all of us who share a vision of an inclusive and equal world".
She added: "Cuba's literacy campaign is credited with having taught millions outside Cuba to read, while Cuban medical brigades were the first on the ground in response to the earthquake in Haïti and again in the cholera epidemic and after Hurricane Matthew. They have been lauded for their heroic contribution to combating the Ebola outbreak in west Africa. Whether or not you agree with Fidel’s politics, there is no doubt that he was a great leader and visionary."
