‘Ray Dempsey gave his life to town of Drogheda’

FORMER mayor Ray Dempsey has been thanked for his service to the town of Drogheda.

The former councillor passed away recently and addressing last week’s local area council meeting, Cllr Frank Godfrey said that Raymond ‘gave his life to the town of Drogheda’ and served the people so well.

He said Raymond put the town on the tourist map and was a ‘man of many parts’ as he was also into soccer and tidy towns.

He also acknowledged the late Jacko Smith and his passion for the Newtown Blues. ‘He also built some of the best houses in town, like Glenmore Drive and Wierhope,’ he stated. He also said that Ja Clarke and Willie Halpin would also be missed greatly.

Cllr Tommy Byrne recalled both Jacko and Ja Clarke, remarking that Ja once said the Blues team of his era could have been the best in Ireland.

‘Willie Halpin was a great referee too,’ he remarked. Cllr Oliver Tully also recalled Tom Tallon who did so much fundraising for the new St Joseph’s Secondary School. ‘Only for him we wouldn’t have it,’ he stated.

Cllr Paul Bell said Ray Dempsey had made a ‘ huge contribution’ to the town of Drogheda.

Mayor Pio Smith thanked the councillors for their remarks in relation to his late father, Jacko Smith, and also remembered Ja and Willie, adding ‘some great characters are gone.’