A special meeting of Tipperary Cahir Cashel Municipal District was held yesterday as a mark of respect for the late Mary Swords whose funeral takes place today.
Ms Swords who died on September 5th was a former member of the Tipperary Urban District Council, a former Mayor and Honorary Mayor of Tipperary town. Ms Swords, running as an Independent, was elected to the Tipperary UDC in 2004 and again in 2009. Cathaoirleach Cllr John Crosse chaired the meeting which was also attended by Michelle, Sean and Jackie, the adult children of the late Ms Swords.
Former councillors Denis Leahy, Jackie Finnan, Anna Halligan Tuohy, Billy Bourke, John Hartnett, Gerry Cronin and Peadar O’Donnell all paid tribute to the immense contribution that Ms Swords made to the work of the council and to life in Tipperary town through her involvement in several local groups including the Tipperary Joint Library Committee, the RAPID Team, Tipperary International Peace Award, Canon Hayes Recreation Centre Board, Tipperary Musical Society, The Friends of Mount Sion, St John’s Famine Graveyard, the Tipperary Active Retired Association and Tipperary Mid West Radio. Former Councillor Denis Leahy recalled how history was made in Tipperary town in 2004 when all five councillors elected were Independents and three of the councillors were women in 2009 including Ms Swords. All councillors praised Ms Swords for her dedicated efforts and her friendly way of completing work with good relations always maintained with her colleagues and Council staff.
Cllr Anne Marie Ryan offered her condolences to the Swords family and noted that it was great that people like Mary ran for office to blaze a trail for other women. Cllrs Mary Hanna Hourigan and Cllr Roger Kennedy sent apologies as they could not attend due to commitments with the Tipperary Education and Training Board.
Sean Swords thanked the council and the wider community for their support in recent days while Martin Quinn recalled how he had grown up with Mary in Tipperary town and worked together in so many groups over several decades. Sharon Kennedy, Director of Services for Tipperary Town spoke on behalf of Council Management to express condolences to the Swords and O’Dwyer families. Ms Swords funeral Mass takes place at noon today in St Michael’s Church followed by burial in St Michael’s Cemetery.
