Tributes are paid to former Mayor

Tributes have been paid to former Mayor of Sligo, Martin Keaveney who passed away last week.

Martin, formerly of Tonaphubble, Sligo, was also a well known businessman having been involved in the tool making and plastics industry for over 60 years.

He served for 12 years as a Fianna Fail public representative and was elected Mayor in 1973.

He was predeceased by his wife, Alice and is survived by his sons, Adrian,Fergal, and Gareth, daughters Grainne and Niamh and extended family.

Mr Keaveney’s death notice stated that his passing was not Covid-19 related. Private Funeral Mass took place at St. Anne’s Church, Sligo on Thursday morning last at 11 o’clock followed by burial in Sligo Cemetery. In keeping with tradition for former Mayors, the cortege passed through the town following the funeral Mass

He was born in 1939 and grew up on a small farm in Tonaphubble, his parents having originally hailed from Easkey.

Martin spent three years in the Technical School in Sligo after primary school and at the age of 16 went looking for a job.

His search took him to Tubbercurry where he became the first ever apprentice at Tool & Gauge at the age of 17 in 1956.

In 1969, Martin and ex-Tool & Gauge workers, Joe Hunt, Billy Gaffney and the late Hubert Rainey established Atlasta Tools in the Market Yard. He then set up Sligo Tool and Dye in the Cleveragh Industrial Estate in 1983.The factory is now run by his son, Fergal. Martin was among more than 250 Tool & Gauge employees who gathered for a special reunion in Tubbercurry in 2013.

Tributes were led by Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Tom MacSharry who said Mr Keaveney had been at the heart of the political and business community in Sligo for many years.

“He had the distinction of serving as Mayor, and he carried out his duties with great pride and professionalism.

“He was one of most successful and enterprising local businessman, devoting almost sixty years to the toolmaking and plastics business.

“Martin had many outstanding highlights in his business career – his was the first Irish toolmaking company to export to the U.S and Africa, and was the first person from the West of Ireland to win the national Jacob’s Award for ‘Outstanding Young Man the Year’

“Martin would go on to fulfil this early potential throughout his life, and was elected to Sligo Corporation on his first attempt. He was highly regarded across the political spectrum as an honourable and decent gentleman, a man of his word who adhered to the highest standards in his public life.”

Sligo Rovers also paid a tribute to Mr Keaveney who served on its management committee in the late 1960s.

“For many years after he had left the Management Committee, Martin was always available to help out on match days or with the various fundraising campaigns,” said a statement from the club.