Ex-mayor Pádraig’s funeral cortege will go through the town

IN KEEPING with long standing tradition, the remains of former Mayor of Sligo Pádraig Branley, who died on Saturday, will be brought through the streets of Sligo this morning, Thursday, on the way to his funeral service in Rathcormack. He was in his 91st year and passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Pearse Road.

A native of Glencar, he had a long and distinguished career in local politics, serving on Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council. He was elected mayor in 1998 and cathaoirleach of the council in 2002. His contribution to public life was recognised at a special function in his honour hosted by Fianna Fáil in 2012. Tributes to him were led by the outgoing cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Dara Mulvey, who said: “Pádraig’s outstanding career as a public representative will be long remembered by the many people he helped and befriended along the way.”

Mayor of Sligo Borough District Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady, who served with the late Cllr Branley, recalled Pádraig as “a close family friend, one of nature’s gentlemen who was highly regarded by his fellow councillors, staff and the public he served”.

Acting council chief executive Tom Kilfeather said: “Pádraig will be fondly remembered for his decency and friendly nature, as well as his valued contribution to local politics and business.” This morning (Thursday) the funeral cortege will leave the Branley home on Pearse Road at 12.15pm and will proceed via Teeling Street, Grattan Street, Castle Street, O’Connell Street, Hyde Bridge and will travel via the Inner Relief Road to St Colmcille’s Church, Rathcormack, for funeral service at 1pm. The cortege will be accompanied through the streets of Sligo by a guard of honour of councillors led by new cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Taylor. Predeceased by his wife Eileen and his siblings Joe, Chris, Maureen, Lily and Philomena, he is survived by sons Ciaran and Niall; daughters Mary, Dorothy and Deirdre; brother Frank, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, in-laws, relatives and friends. RIGHT: The late

Pádraig Branley.