Mayo Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary and party leader Micheal Martin have paid tribute to Martin J O’Toole, a former Fianna Fáil TD, senator, and councillor from Louisburgh who passed away this week.
Deputy Calleary said he was deeply saddened to learn of Martin J’s death. “He was a valued colleague, a close family friend for many years and a much loved and greatly respected member of the community in Co Mayo,” Dep Calleary said.
“Martin J spent more than four decades in public life, beginning his political career in 1955 as a member of Mayo County Council, where he served as chairman on many occasions. He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1977 to 1989 and a member of the Dáil from 1989 to 1992. He was also president of Mayo Fianna Fáil and a valued member of the local organisation in Co Mayo over the years.
“It was a privilege to know Martin J,” Dep Calleary added. “He was a wonderful character and a great source of political wisdom. He was well known not just in political circles but also in the farming community. Martin was a champion for rural Ireland and was instrumental in the development of the Western Rail Corridor.
