The House will now hear expressions of sympathy on the death of a former Member, Mr. Tom O'Reilly.
Death of Former Member: Expression of Sympathy.
I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a former Member of this House. Last week was an occasion to pay tribute to the memory of a former Member, the late Mr. Des Foley. On this occasion we pay tribute to the memory of another former Member of this House who was deeply associated, as was the late Mr. Des Foley, with the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The late Mr. Tom O'Reilly, or Big Tom as he was known, was a native of Killashandra. He played for the Cornafein team and served in this House from 1944 to 1948. He was elected to Cavan County Council as an independent farmer and was also a Member of the Dáil in that capacity. He subsequently joined Fine Gael and served that party in an organisational capacity. He was a noted follower and player of the Gaelic Athletic Association. He won two All Ireland medals for Cavan, the first in 1933 when, at the age of 18, he was the youngest man to have won an All Ireland medal. Tom O'Reilly won another medal for Cavan in 1935. He played in two other All Irelands, including the famous one in the Polo Grounds in New York in 1947. He was a brother of the late John Joe O'Reilly.
I wish to express my sympathy to Tom's widow Joan, to the O'Reilly family and all his many friends.
On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party I join the Taoiseach in extending sympathy to the O'Reilly family. Big Tom O'Reilly, a mid-fielder, was one of the great characters of an earlier period. Last week, as the Taoiseach said, we talked about Des Foley who was the great success of the 1960s. John Joe was doing the same job with his brother, Big Tom, exactly 30 years earlier. From my knowledge of the GAA not alone was Big Tom on a team at 18 years of age, he was one of the longest serving captains. All the books referred to him as a gentle giant, a man of immense talent and skill.
The years 1944-48, his term in this House, were difficult for his constituency and the world. He made his contribution which we remember today. My research differs in one respect from that of the Taoiseach. I agree with him on Big Tom's successes in 1933 and 1935 but, perhaps, we will let those on quizzes argue whether he actually played in the Polo Grounds. I believe he was on the panel at that time but did not play. However, we will not argue about that today.
I concede that point.
We will let somebody else resolve it. No doubt some of the sports quiz people will resolve it very quickly. He made a tremendous contribution during his term in the House and became a very important developer and builder active in the property market in my native city long after his playing and political days were over. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
On behalf of the Labour Party I would like my party to be associated with the expressions of sympathy by the Taoiseach and other party leaders on the death of the former Deputy, Tom O'Reilly and to extend our sympathy to his widow, Joan and his family.
I join with other party leaders in expressing my sympathy and that of the Progressive Democrats to the widow and family of the late Tom O'Reilly.
On behalf of Democratic Left I associate myself and my party with the condolences conveyed to the widow and sons and daughters of the late Tom O'Reilly and express sympathy at his death.
I join previous speakers in paying tribute to the late Tom O'Reilly who was a former Member of this House and represented Cavan as an independent farmer from 1944-48. Even at that stage he had Fine Gael leanings, subsequently joining Fine Gael and becoming actively involved in the party.
He is better known as a Gaelic foot-baller.He graced the fields of this country for his native Cavan in the famous blue and white when it was a team to be remembered and cherished. He had two brothers, the great John Joe O'Reilly, who was remembered in song and verse, and the lesser known, Fr. Brian O'Reilly.All three brothers, of a family of 13, played for their native Cornfein where they won seven county championships. As the Taoiseach rightly said, he won All Ireland medals with Cavan in 1933 and 1935 and he was a member of the Cavan team that beat Kerry in the Polo Grounds in 1947 on the only occasion when an All Ireland final was played outside Ireland. He was a fine man and a fine sportsman. He comes from Cornafein which has produced many great sportsmen. Uniquely, at that time, from that small townland there were two Dáil representatives: one for Fianna Fáil, the late Michael Sheridan and Big Tom O'Reilly. Of course Cornafein was famous for its football and today our great athlete, Caitríona McKiernan, comes from the same townland in County Cavan.
I join with previous speakers in paying tribute to a former Independent Member of this House, Tom O'Reilly. To his wife, Joan, his sons, daughters, brothers and sisters I wish to extend my sincere sympathy and that of the Fianna Fáil organisation throughout County Cavan. Tom entered Dáil Éireann in June 1944 as an extremely popular young man with support from all age groups and from all classes and creeds. He was the essence of humanity, big in character and a real gentleman.
Tom O'Reilly did not seek re-election in 1948 and subsequently, as Deputy Ahern said, was to develop a very successful building and property business in this city. However, it was as an outstanding sportsman that Tom initially gained fame and became known as Big Tom. He began his inter county career with Cavan minors and juniors in 1932. As an 18 year old he starred as a mid-fielder in Cavan's first All Ireland success in 1933. He was to win another All Ireland medal as a player in 1935 and as a panellist in 1947 with the team that played in the Polo Grounds, in which my predecessor, John P. Wilson, was left half back. He won three All Ireland medals with Cavan, was a player on 12 successful Cavan Ulster teams. He also won nine county senior championships with his native Cornafein and on seven occasions was the team captain. He was to win Railway Cup medals with Ulster in 1942 and 1943 while his brother John Joe was the team captain.
The name of the O'Reilly family, as Deputy Boylan said, is synonymous with the GAA in Cavan. Nobody has worn the blue of Cavan or the saffron of Ulster with greater distinction. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
I also pay tribute to the memory of that great man Big Tom O'Reilly. In the 1940s a very good friend of mine who was also a good footballer in County Roscommon was asked to run for the 1948 election. He was not sure whether to accept. He met his friend, Big Tom, and asked what he thought of representing Cavan people in the Dáil and whether he would run again. Big Tom's comment was that he would much prefer to go around the county with a bag over his shoulder collecting empty bottles than take on that number again. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
Members rose in their places.