Tributes Pour In For Former Cork East T.D. Joe Sherlock

Former Labour T.D. Joe Sherlock died on Monday morning at the age of 71. Mr Sherlock had retired from public office deciding not to stand in the last General Election.

The Cork East T.D. was succeeded by his son Sean who won the election in May. He is also survived by his wife Ellen and children Joseph and Una.

Expressing his shock and sadness at the news of Mr Sherlock's death, new Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said that he "was a warm friend and a wonderful colleague over many years and his death will be greatly felt both in the Labour Party and among the people of Mallow and the surrounding areas."

"Joe's entire life was driven by a sense of public duty - in the trade union movement, on the local authorities and in the Dáil and Seanad.

"At every level, Joe always put the needs of others before his own interests.

"First elected to Mallow Urban District Council in 1967, at the time of his retirement earlier this year, Joe had given a remarkable 40 years of unbroken public service to the people of his area."

In a recent interview for the website Labour.ie Sean spoke of his admiration for his father: "The one thing that came across to me on the doorsteps was the great degree of esteem in which my Dad is held and on every second doorstep the departing remark from them was 'if you're half as good as your Dad you'll be doing well'."

Born in Kildorrery, Co. Cork, Mr Sherlock worked at Irish Sugar PLC for 18 years and served as the secretary of the SIPTU Mallow Branch (No. 2).

He was first elected to Mallow Urban District Council in 1967 and won election to Cork County Council in 1974.

Elected to the Dáil in 1981, he was re-elected in February 1982, but lost his seat in December 1982 before being re-elected in 1987 and 1989.

He served in the Seanad from 1992-1997, was re-elected to the Dáil in May 2002, but announced in July 2005 that he would not be seeking re-election, a decision that led his son Sean to successfully run for his father's seat.

The Taoiseach also paid tribute to Mr Sherlock saying that he was "deeply saddened" to learn of his death of former deputy and extended his "profound sympathies to his wife Ellen, his children, Joseph, Una and my Dáil colleague Sean, who succeeded to Joe's former seat, his wider family, friends and Labour Party colleagues."

"Joe's life was one of great public service. That he served the people of Mallow and Cork East for 40 years is a tribute to his exceptional commitment to public life, personal warmth and work on behalf of his constituents. He was a true gentleman of Irish politics," the Taoiseach continued.

Fine Gael's Cork-East T.D. David Stanton said that "He was an institution in East Cork, serving for over 40 years at every level from Mallow Urban Council to national Senator to his long and proud record as a member of Dáil Éireann"

"Joe will be remembered as a resolute defender of his people and a kind-hearted, dedicated man and his outstanding record of public service is continued today by his son Sean."

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin also expressed sympathy to the family, telling reporters that, "As a fellow T.D., I found Joe Sherlock to be a very decent man and a diligent elected representative who always championed the needs of his constituents in East Cork.

"I extend deepest sympathy to his family and to his Labour Party colleagues," he concluded.