Tributes pour in for ex mayor, Eugene Hughes
MEMBERS of Drogheda Corporation met in special session on Saturday morning last to pay tribute to a former councillor and three times Mayor of the town, Mr, Eugene Hughes, 18 Congress Avenue, who died on Thursday.
They praised his dedicated service on behalf of the local community during his 22 years In public life and, in particular,, the leadership and drive he had given to the trade union movement in the area.
Mr. Hughes’ unflagging efforts to provide 3 swimming pool for Drogheda and the years he had spent as chairman of the Swimming Pool Committee were commented upon by all his former colleagues.
And it was agreed that the best way to honour his memory was to push ahead as speedily as possible with the swim pool project.
“Now that we are so close to getting our swimming pool, ‘ said the Mayor. Colr, Con O’Brien, “it is ironical that Eugene is not with us to see the project, which he worked so hard for, come to fruition.”
The Mayor and five other members of the corporation, Ald. Peter Moore. Colr. Ray Dempsey, Colr Donnachada Mac- Raghnaill, Colr. Fergus O’Dowd, and Ald. Frank Godfrey, later carried the coffin at the obsequies in St. Mary’s Church, where Requiem Mass was offered up by Very Rev. J. Johnson, P,P.. V.F., and at Calvary Cemetery, where the burial took place.
Attendance included the Minister for Local Government, Mr. Jimmy Tully, and Deputy Padraig Faulkner. Also present were many representatives of the Drogheda Trades Council, of which he was a chairman, Drogheda Industrial Council, the Vocational Education Committee, and other bodies with which he was actively associated.
Present also were staff from the Drogheda Independent from which Mr. Hughes a printer, left, on early retirement, two years ago,
Colr. O’Brien, tendering a vote of sympathy to the wife and family of Mr. Hughes, said that his death would be a great loss to them and to the townspeople in general.
Ald Peter Moore said he had known Eugene Hughes as a friend for many years, having entered local politics with him, at the same time, 22 years ago. “No one could have been a more loyal and genuine friend. He was a great Drogheda man and a great Irishman also, with strong nationalist feelings.’
Ald F. Godfrey described the former councillor as a great trade unionist and a very genuine person who had worked hard always for his fellow townspeople.