Monaghan County Council held a Special Meeting this evening to formally record its sympathy following the passing of Councillor Seamus Coyle and to pay tribute to his longstanding service to the people of County Monaghan. Elected Members joined the Cathaoirleach, Chief Executive and Council staff in remembering Councillor Coyle’s contribution to public life, reflecting on his dedication to community service and his unwavering commitment to representing the people of Monaghan.
Leading the tributes to Councillor Coyle’s 22 years of dedicated public service, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Councillor Aidan Campbell, paid tribute to Councillor Coyle’s lifetime of service to his community, his contribution to local government, and the lasting legacy he leaves across County Monaghan.
The Cathaoirleach also acknowledged the recent passing of Monaghan County Council staff member Jennifer Kelly and extended sincere sympathies on behalf of the elected members and staff to Jennifer’s family, friends and colleagues.
Read the full address delivered by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Aidan Campbell below:
As Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council and all the members of Monaghan County Council we gather today to remember, acknowledge and commend the work and loyal service of Cllr Seamus Coyle Cathaoirleach of Ballybay/Clones MD.
Seamus had a personality and a way that suited him perfectly to public life and community service. He was very much a people person, a generous person who went to great lengths to help people, regardless of their status or political background. For Seamus, his family was the local community and that local community was not just Latton or Bawn areas alone, but he saw community in a bigger sense. County and country were equally important to him but always in the context of the human person. The service of the human person and the common good was at the hear of the life of Seamus Coyle.
Seamus was first elected for the old Mid-Monaghan (or Castleblayney) Electoral Area in 2004. Boundary changes in 2009 resulted in him opting for the Clones area and then from 2014 he served the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District, becoming a renowned poll topper – a reflection of the respect and love which people had for him.
Seamus was also a significant GAA figure at both Latton O’Rahillys and County level. He served as Club chairman, club treasurer and other roles at Latton and then he was Development Officer and then Vice-Chair of Monaghan County Board as well as playing a huge role in the development of strategic planning for the GAA in the county.
Seamus was a very public figure. He was always keen to serve and to ensure that communities and people grew in dignity and in capacity to be every bit as good as communities everywhere else. And he knew well the struggles that so many people face and the help that they require.
These past few years have been difficult for Seamus from a health point of view. Yet, he kept going. His Facebook posts kept constituents informed and updated on the issues that he was pursuing for them. He never gave up on working for people.
Today, as we mourn his all to sudden passing at such a young age, we give thanks for his life and the contribution to public life and the community that he has made. Seamus is now at rest and we pray that he will have eternal peace.
To his family, his community and to all of his colleagues and friends, we offer our sincere sympathy.
Go ndeana Dia trócaire ar a anam.