Limerick city councillor to be buried on day he was to become Mayor

The late Jerry O'Dea

FUNERAL arrangements have been announced for well-known Limerick City politician and publican Jerry Oโ€™Dea, 55, who died suddenly on Saturday.

The Fianna Fรกil councillor will be laid to rest on Thursday, the same day he was due to be elected Mayor of Limerick City and County at theย annual meeting of the joint local authority.

Taoiseach Micheรกl Martin led tributes to Cllr Oโ€™Dea, a former student at the Shannon College of Hotel Management, who was first elected to Limerick City and County Council in 2014, describing him as a โ€œproud Limerick city man and active supporter of a wide array of city sports clubs, community groups and charitiesโ€.

The remains of the father-of-two, who was also widely known as Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Limerick (2015), Chair of the Limerick branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, and Chair of the Limerick Milk Market, will repose at Crossโ€™s Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, from 4 to 7pm on Wednesday.

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The funeral cortรจge is scheduled to arrive at St Johnโ€™s Cathedral, for Funeral Mass ย at 1pm on Thursday, and will pause outside Mr Oโ€™Deaโ€™s pub on Mulgrave Street as it makes its way to Crecora Cemetery.

Local Fianna Fรกil TD Willie O’Dea said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Jerry O’Dea, who he described asย a very popular Fianna Fรกil Councillor and a long standing publican.

“I held my monthly advice clinic in his pub on Mulgrave Street for decades and knew Jerry and his family long before he got involved in politics. I always found him to be friendly and courteous. He was a dedicated public representative and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time.

Books of condolences were opened online, and at the Councilโ€™s offices today (Monday) and the Irish flag is flying at half-mast outside the Councilโ€™s offices in Merchantโ€™s Quay and Dooradoyle.

Tracy Hegarty, of the Shannon College of Hotel Management, ย paid tribute in an online book of condolences, describing Mr Oโ€™Deaโ€™s sudden passing as โ€œsuch desperately sad newsโ€.

โ€œJerry always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, ever since I got to know him as a fellow student in Shannon College back in 1986, his untimely loss is mounted by so many,โ€ Ms Hegarty wrote.

Mr Oโ€™Dea is survived by his father John Joe, daughter Katherine and son JD and their mother Sinead.