Ballinrobe mourns former publican

RESPECTED  The late Dermot O’Connor.

Ciara Galvin

THE community of Ballinrobe bid farewell to ‘respected and hardworking businessman’ Dermot O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor passed away peacefully on Wednesday last aged 75. He was a well known publican and shopkeeper for many decades, running his premises beside the former court house on Main Street.
He was beloved husband of Brenda and has been described as a ‘dedicated family man’ to children Dervail, David and Maeve.
“He was a good neighbour all his life. We were neighbours for 56 years, he was a good businessman and a hard worker who worked night, noon and morning,” said fellow businessman Tony Walkin.
Mr O’Connor took over the grocery shop and pub at a young age and dedicated his life to the business.
“He’ll be missed, he was a prominent figure around the town and was very involved in racing,” Mr Walkin added.

Mark of Respect
As a mark of respect to the O’Connor family, the official launch of Ballinrobe Racecourse’s 2018 season was cancelled last week.
Mr O’Connor had served on the race committee for many years, in many capacities and was a ‘core part’ of it, according to Race Committee Chairman John Staunton.
“When the course was small and small courses were under threat he worked very hard and had an important input over the years. He was involved in every race day at the entrance and with the finances. He was a well-respected member of the committee,” said Mr Staunton.
A guard of honour from Ballinrobe Racecourse assembled at Mr O’Connor’s funeral Mass on Friday last.
He is deeply mourned by his wife Brenda, daughters Dervail (Galway), Maeve Lynch (Ballinrobe) and son David (Dublin), son-in-law Niall and daughter-in-law Susan, grandsons, Darragh, Liam, Conor, Harry, Diarmuid and Adam, brother David and sisters Eithne and Helen and the late Cecily, extended family, relatives and friends.