By Paddy McCarthy
A County Tipperary man, Martin Quinn, has received a rare and prestigious honor in the United States, with Westchester County Government officially proclaiming Saturday, April 18th, 2026, as ‘Martin Quinn Day’. The proclamation was presented to Quinn on March 21st in Yonkers by Legislator David J. Tubiolo (14th District), at a ceremony following the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The honor recognizes Mr. Quinn’s selection as Grand Marshal by the County Tipperary N&B Association of New York for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parades in both New York City and Yonkers. It also acknowledges his lifelong dedication to community and voluntary service.
From his early involvement in local organizations in Bansha, Co. Tipperary, Martin has gone on to make a significant contribution at national level. He is a former National President of Muintir na Tíre and currently serves as Chair of the Citizens Information Service Network of Companies. The proclamation further recognizes Martin as an author and as a symbolic bridge-builder between Ireland and the United States — a role shaped by a lifetime devoted to peace, community, and human connection.
At a time when the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, this recognition carries a deeper significance. Through his work with the Tipperary International Peace Award, and in honoring distinguished American recipients, Martin has helped to weave a thread of friendship and shared purpose across the Atlantic — strengthening the bonds between two nations united by history, values, and a common hope for a more peaceful world.
The proclamation, issued by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, states that its members “take great pride in joining their esteemed colleagues, Legislator David J. Tubiolo and Chairman Vedat Gashi (4th District), in honoring Martin Quinn and congratulating him on his accomplishments”. It further resolves that April 18th, 2026, be proclaimed ‘Martin Quinn Day’ throughout Westchester County, and that the text of the proclamation be carried throughout the County for all people of goodwill to recognize his contribution. Responding to the honor, Martin said he was “completely overcome”, adding that it is something he will treasure as a recognition of his lifetime of service to community. This special recognition reflects both Mr. Quinn’s outstanding contribution and the strong and enduring links between Tipperary and the Irish community in the United States.
This sad news came to me from the County Cork BP&P Association who are sadly mourning the passing of their highly respected past president, John Stephen “Sean” Driscoll. Sean died at his home in Cedarhurst on Sunday, March 22, surrounded by his devoted family. He would have celebrated his 99th birthday on June 7. Born and raised in Lisheen, Skibbereen, Sean was one of nine children, the third son of John Stephen and Hannah (Fitzgerald) O’Driscoll. In 1948 Sean left his native home and sailed from Cobh on the RMS Mauritania to New York to seek “fame and fortune”.
In New York he met and married his beloved wife Mary (Giblin) of Glenamaddy, Co. Galway. They were happily married for sixty-seven years until Mary’s passing on January 27, 2019. Sean served his adopted country during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant and earning several awards including the Combat Infantry Award. In 1955, he began a distinguished career with the New York City Police Department. As a Police Officer, he served in the 79th and 70th Precincts, protecting the streets of Brooklyn. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1966 and stationed in the 72nd Precinct. Shortly thereafter, Sean was promoted to Lieutenant and worked in the 80th Precinct and Brooklyn North Command.
His talents were recognized by the Police Department, and he was appointed Detective Squad Commander, serving as Commanding Officer of the 109th and 106th Precincts’ Detective Squads. In this role, he supervised numerous successful investigations and retired from the NYPD in 1989 after an exemplary career.
Sean was a loyal and dedicated member of the County Cork Association for 58 years. He successfully chaired many committees and served as President in 1985 and thereafter served for many years as a Trustee. He was celebrated as Corkman of the Year in 1991 and was honored again in 2018 as a fifty-year member. His many contributions to the organization have been invaluable.
“We are grateful for Sean’s friendship and leadership in our organization,” they said, “and sincerely thank him for his service to his country, his city and the County Cork Association. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to Sean’s sons, John and Kevin, and their wives, Phylis and Linda, during this difficult time. We also offer our deepest condolences to his cherished grandchildren: Kerri, Sean, James, Brian, and Danny. The loss is also felt by his seven great-grandchildren Declan, Liam, Luke, Jack, and Clara Driscoll, along with Killian and Teagan Murphy—who will remember Sean with love and admiration.
“Our sincerest sympathies are shared with Sean’s sister, Mae, who, together with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and nephews, mourns his passing. May it bring comfort to know that Sean is now reunited with his beloved wife, Mary, and his siblings, Florence, Denis, Willie, Paddy, Joe, Mary, and Eileen.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again…