"People valued and respected Sean Smith's wise judgement, clear thinking, insight, and practical approach".
That's according to the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feely, who was speaking to Northern Sound today about the impact that Cllr Sean Smith's death will have locally.
Cllr Feely told this afternoon's Wider View that Cllr Smith was a family man first and foremost; and was a particularly strong advocate on agricultural issues.
He said the local Fianna Fail representative brought his years of "experience, determination, and good humour" to his work with constituents and communities around Co Cavan.
The Cathaoirleach added that Cllr Smith was also a passionate advocate for local education, particularly when it came to St Mogue's College, Bawnboy, and St Bricin's College, Belturbet.
"Anyone who knew Sean Smith had to respect his integrity; his commitment; his energy; his enthusiasm for his work; his wise judgement; and his clear thinking.
"He was a very capable councillor and is a huge loss to all of his colleagues - but that pales into insignificance, of course, with the loss he is to his wife Anne, his children, and grandchildren," said Cllr Feely.
