Tom Woods was the right hand man of Padraig Faulkner

January 1988

MR. TOM WOODS, Ascal a hAon, Yellowbatter, Drogheda, who died on Thursday night last in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, was a former councillor on Drogheda Corporation. He was co-opted to office in 1971 and served until the elections of 1974.

Deeply committed to the ideals of the Fianna Fail party, he was the right hand man in Drogheda of Deputy Padraig Faulkner and wielded considerable political power locally.

Mr. Faulkner, a former Government Minister, was among the group of prominent Fianna Fail members who on Saturday morning formed a guard of honour to accompany the cortege to the graveside.

The late Mr. Woods, who was aged 66, was also a member of Drogheda Trades Council and was involved with the ITGWU at branch level. He was also a member of the F.C.A. In latter years he was unable to take an active part in politics due to the onset of a chest complaint, emphysema. It was this illness which prompted him to take early retirement from Cement Ltd. in 1983. He was employed until then as a storeman with the company.

It was Mr. Woods who set up the local branch of the Asthma Society and he did a great deal of charitable work on its behalf.

He sat while on Drogheda Corporation on the local Old Age Pensioners Committee and back in the fifties was instrumental in helping to reform the Newtown Blues football club. Having been reared in the Nuns Walk, he had been a great supporter of the Blues all his life.

Deceased is survived by his wife, Maisie, formerly Cassidy, Green Lanes, Drogheda. He is also survived by their seven sons and four daughters. Eight of the children are married, with families of their own. Two boys and a girl still remain at home.