Death of former county council cathaoirleach, Oliver Brooks

The death has occurred, after a long illness, of the former Meath County Council cathaoirleach, Oliver Brooks of Dunsany and Kilmessan.

Mr Brooks, who served on the council from 1997 to 2009, was chairperson for the 2003-’04 term, and represented the Dunshaughlin electoral area on the local authority.

A farm manager for Chris Jones’ Ballycullen Farms at Killeen Glebe, he lived at Killeen. Illness in recent years saw him move to the care of Ratoath Manor Nursing Home. He died last night in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, aged 74.

An active member of Fianna Fail in the Dunshaughlin area, he was co-opted onto Meath County Council following an internal party convention to replace Mary Wallace, who had to step down after being appointed a junior minister in 1997. He was re-elected in 1999, and again in 2004.

A native of Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co Roscommon, Oliver Brooks came to Killeen in 1977 when Ballycullen Farms bought the Glebe to operate a beef enterprise, and he also managed a diary farm at Kinnegad for Chris Jones. He was vice-chairman of the Farm Apprentice Board for a period.

In the early 1980s, Oliver was involved in a revival of hurling in Dunshaughlin and was a committee member and selector. Fellow Roscommon man Gerry Flanagan was chairman, and the ‘Dad’s Army’ team won the 1982 county hurling championship, followed by the annexing of the intermediate championship the following year.

In Dunsany, Oliver was greatly involved in the annual Cross-Country Chase, a successful equestrian event run for 25 years for church, school and parish funds. He also enjoyed successful racehorse ownership, both as a individual and as a member of the Dunshaughlin-based Neighbours Racing Syndicate.

He was a president of Dunsany GFC and the backbone of its annual golf classic.

Oliver Brooks was a local representative in Dunshaughlin when major infrastructural developments such as the new water scheme were installed, and new streetscaping and park in the village, as well as the opening of the M3 motorway and the rail link to Pace, and was a major promoter of the golf club development at Killeen Castle, which went on to host the Solheim Cup just over a decade ago, as well as three Ladies Irish Opens.

He worked on infrastructure improvements in villages such as Dunsany, Moynalvey and Kilmessan.

As well as serving as council chair, he was also chairperson of the Meath County Development Board, and the council’s strategic policy committee on planning and economic development.

When he took over the chair of the county council in July 2003, he succeeded Rathfeigh councillor, James Mangan. It was a case of keeping it in the family as his daughter, Teresa, is married to Jim Mangan’s son, Michael.

Oliver was one of a family of six of Joe and May Brooks of Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, who died in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Oliver was also predeceased by his sister, Mary, and brother, Sean, and is survived by his wife, Ann, The Green, Bracken Hill, Kilmessan; daughter, Teresa, Riverstown, Rathfeigh; son, Declan, Kilcarty, Dunsany; daughter-in-law, Christine; son-in-law, Michael; grandchildren, James, Laura, Emily, Jane, Sarah and Joe; brothers, Frank and Kevin; sister, Theresa; extended family, relatives and friends.

He will repose at McEntaggart’s Funeral Home, Dunshaughlin, from 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, with a funeral Mass in the Church of the Assumption, Dunsany, at 12 noon on Monday, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Meath East TD and European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne has extended his sympathy to the Brooks family.

“My thoughts are with Ann, Declan, Teresa and entire Brooks family at the passing of their beloved husband and father. Ollie was a committed and hardworking public representative for the Dunshaughlin area for over a decade, becoming a county councillor for the time in 1997," he stated.

"He was centrally involved in many key infrastructure improvements in and around Dunshaughlin including the delivery of the bypass and indeed the M3 motorway. Oliver served as cathaoirleach of Meath County Council in 2004, one of the many highlights of his political career. He will be sadly missed by his many neighbours and friends and indeed his former colleagues in the Fianna Fáil party.”

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to the Parkinson's Association of Ireland https://www.parkinsons.ie/