Tributes have been paid to former Fine Gael councillor, Hughie McElvaney who passed away this morning.
The Corcaghan man was a local representative in Monaghan for 50 years, before retiring from the role last year prior to local elections. He was the Mayor of Monaghan 4 times, and was elected to Monaghan County Council on 10 occasions.
Mr. McElvaney stood for Fine Gael in the 1999 Monaghan County Council election, topping the poll in the Clones Electoral Area. He again topped the poll for Fine Gael in the 2004 Monaghan County Council election, notably finishing ahead of party colleague Heather Humphreys.
He was elected for Fine Gael in the new Ballybay-Clones Electoral Area at the 2014 Monaghan County Council election, before running as an independent his last election, in 2019.
Local Fine Gael councillor Sean Gilliland says Hughie was a dedicated representative. "Very few could match Hughie's over fifty years of dedicated public service and his unwavering commitment to his local community. "So many people were touched by the dedicated work that Hughie did over the 50 years representing Monaghan and he did so much work helping families in the community."
Local Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Coyle has described the former councillor has a colourful character. He says when Hughie was first elected in June of 1974, Ireland was a different place and Monaghan was a different place. "Hughie was never afraid to speak out even during very difficult times over his 50 years of service and the number one for Hughie was the benefit of the people of Co Monaghan."
Corcaghan man Frank Evans says the former councillor was very much a community man. "As a community man he always watched out for people and if someone needed help. Hughie wasn't never far away. He was a great support to local clubs and schools and very much in a silent way. There is a sense of shock and sadness in the area today as its hard to imagine Corcaghan without having Hughie McElvaney walking around it."
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
