Death of former county council chairman, Sib Rooney
The death has occurred of Sebastian (Sib) Rooney, who served as a Fianna Fáil member of Meath County Council for 25 years, and as chairman for a term.
He died peacefully yesterday at St Colmcille’s Nursing Home, Kells.
The Oristown farmer was first elected in 1974 and remained on the council until retiring before the 1999 elections. He was a former chairman of the General Council of Committees of Agriculture, and also vocal against health board cutbacks.
Sib Rooney was chairman from 1994-’95, and was elected on a controversial day for Fianna Fáil as former TD and senator Michael Lynch withheld his support for the nomination to make a point against the lack of funding been made available to the local authority by central government for roads, towns and villages, when so much money was available nationally.
The abstention did not affect the overall result, and Cllr Rooney was elected with the support of his own party, Labour and Independents, taking over from the late Cllr Jimmy Cudden. The late Cllr Mary Sylver of Dunboyne was elected vice-chair.
That AGM in the summer of 1994 was adjourned for a week to allow the members watch the Ireland-Holland World Cup soccer match!
Predeceased by his wife Lily (Rispin), Sib is survived by their family, Vincent, Elma, Colette, Brendan, Ambrose and Desmond, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Tom and Joe, daughters-in-law Bríd, Cathleen, Helen and Bridget, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Current Fine Gael Meath County Councillor, Joe Fox, Summerhill, is a son-in-law of the deceased.
He is reposing at his residence (A82 F611) on Sunday 1st January from 4pm to 8pm. Removal on Monday morning arriving at St Catherine's Church, Oristown for 11am funeral Mass which may be viewed on https://www.mcnmedia.tv/Camera/st-catherines-church. Burial afterwards in Gibbstown Cemetery.
In Dunboyne, the death has occurred of Philomena Leonard, wife of former Fianna Fáil councillor, Noel Leonard.
She died peacefully on new year's even at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
Phil is survived by Noel, their family, Donna, Barry, Sharon and Tara, cousin, Myra, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She is reposing at Cunningham's Funeral Home, Dunboyne Village on Tuesday 3rd January from 5pm to 8pm.
Removal to Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne on Wednesday morning 4th January arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in the New Rooske Cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. Donations if desired to the Irish Heart Foundation.