Former FG councillor John Martin Flannery laid to rest in Charlestown

POPULAR FIGURE The late John Martin Flannery.


Michael Commins

THE death took place last week of John Martin Flannery, Barrack Street, Charlestown. He served as a Fine Gael member of Mayo County Council from 1979 to 2004. He had been in declining health for some time.
John (79) was a colourful member of the Council with a rural sense of humour that often deflated many a contentious debate in the Council Chamber in Castlebar. He was chairman of Mayo County Council during the 1995/96 term.
An ardent supporter of the Western Rail Corridor, he was unrelenting in his support for the re-opening of the line from Athenry to Collooney over the years. He was also a prominent member of the Western Health Board and was very much at home on the Agricultural Committee of Mayo County Council because of his strong farming background.
John became a General Election candidate for Fine Gael in 1982, just three years after his election to Mayo County Council for the Swinford Electoral Area. He joined outgoing TD Paddy O’Toole from Ballina and Jim Higgins from Ballyhaunis on the party ticket. However, Paddy O’Toole was the only Fine Gael candidate to secure election in the then Mayo East 3-seater constituency with SeΡn Calleary and PJ Morley taking the other two for Fianna FΡil.

Sense of humour
Ballyhaunis based Fine Gael councillor, John Cribbin, said John Martin Flannery had a very traditional sense of humour and wit that was infectious. “When he was in top form, he was the best of company. John was a hard-working councillor who did tremendous work for his constituents during his 25 years in the Council. He was faithfully returned on merit by the people of his region for a quarter of a century.”
John was never afraid to take a stand on issues. His relationship with the Fine Gael Party was frayed at times and he gave serious consideration towards the later end of his political career of standing as an Independent candidate for the Council elections.
The large attendances at the funeral ceremonies over the weekend reflected the regard in which he was held across the political divide. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, was present to sympathise with the Flannery family as were several other elected representatives, including Fianna Fail TDs Dara Calleary and Eamonn Scanlon. Fr Michéal McGreal, a leading pioneer of the Western Rail Corridor, was also in attendance.
Reposing was at the Horkan Funeral Home on Saturday evening with removal to St James Church, Charlestown. Following the Funeral Mass on Sunday, interment took place in the adjoining cemetery. The chief celebrant was his nephew, Fr TomΡs Surlis, a member of the well known Tubbercurry family.
John, who was predeceased by his wife Margaret, is survived by his daughters, Cora, Patricia, Karen and Jane, in-laws, grandchildren, brother, sisters, relatives, neighbours and many friends.