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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1942

Vol. 86 No. 6

Death of Deputy T. Kelly.

A Chinn Comhairle, members of the Dáil will have learned with regret of the death of Deputy Alderman Tom Kelly. The late Deputy was a member of the First, Second and Third Dála. Since 1933 he served continuously as a member of this House. Except when prevented by illness he was always in his place and followed the debates with the keenest interest. His interventions were marked by a sound, practical commonsense and by that inimitable humour which characterised everything he said and never failed to win attention for the points he desired to make.

For almost half a century Tom Kelly played an honourable part in the national life, and was intimately associated with all the progressive movements of that time. He was one of the foundation members of the Sinn Féin organisation and cherished to the end the ideals of political, social and cultural independence which that organisation was established to promote.

For over 40 years he was a representative of his fellow citizens in the Dublin Corporation and City Council, and for the greater part of the time a senior representative and alderman. In 1920 he was elected Lord Mayor, but was prevented by illness from entering upon office. Everything that touched the dignity of our capital, his native city, in whose history he was a specialist, or the interests of its citizens was a matter of concern to him. He was chairman of the Housing Committee of the corporation since 1912. He was chosen to be the first chairman of the committee in charge of the Municipal Art Gallery when it was established in Harcourt Street, and was again chairman when it was transferred to its new home in Charlemont House.

In the late Alderman and Deputy the workers of the city and the poor had a constant and devoted champion whom it will be hard to replace. By his death an outstanding figure has been removed from our municipal and national life. Go dtuga Dia an suaimhneas siorraidhe do'n duine uasal cneasda grádhmhar dílis.

I ask you, a Chinn Comhairle, to convey to the relatives of the late Deputy an expression of Dáil Eireann's deep regret at his loss and our sincere sympathy with them in their sorrow.

Deputies rose in their places.

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