The members of Mayo County Council adjourned the October meeting of the council as a mark of respect to the late PJ Morley. Fianna Fáil councillor Al McDonnell proposed the adjournment and it was seconded by Fine Gael councillor John Cribben.
Proposing the adjournment, Cllr McDonnell said: “It is fitting to mark the passing of great public servant to this county. PJ was known as a gentleman of politics, but he knew how to work for the people of Mayo. From 1957 to 1999 he served in this chamber and the one it previously sat in and served it with distinction, and for a two year period between 1989 and 1991 he served as cathaoirleach of the council. An honour he was particularly proud of. You wouldn’t have heard a bad word said about the man, that was the mark of respect he was held in by all who knew him and worked with him.”
This comment was backed up by much laughter in the chamber, when Independent councillor Frank Durcan, in paying his tribute to the late PJ Morley said, “he was the only man I could safely say, I didn’t cross in this chamber.”
Fine Gael councillor John Cribben paid tribute to Mr Morley, calling him a “friend” and someone who “crossed the political divide and could draw from all sides”. Cribben went on to say: “He was an east Mayo man at heart and served his constituency very well and won’t be forgotten by anyone from there for his work.”
