‘Landmark’ Big Issue vendor Sean dies, 54
‘CHARISMA AND CHEEKY DEMEANOUR’ OF MAN WHO SOLD THE MAGAZINE IN THE CITY FOR OVER 13 YEARS
A LONG-SERVING Big Issue vendor, described by the magazine as “something of a landmark in Leicester”, has died aged 54.
Sean Irish was a familiar face on his pitch in High Street. His family has revealed he died last month.
His sister, Carleen Irish, 55, said: “A lot of people will remember Sean and some have been wondering where he’s gone.
“The girl who has his pitch now says people are coming up to her to ask her about him and have been upset when she tells them he has passed away.
“He was the longest-serving Big Issue vendor in Leicester and he was a popular lad.
“He had his struggles. When he was younger he got into recreational drugs and began to get more involved in that until it turned into class A and he started using heroin.
“He was on heroin for a long while. But he also struggled with alcohol.
“He could be a bit of a nuisance at times, but he was known as a bit of a charmer around town because of his character.”
Sean, who grew up in the Highfields and New Parks areas of the city, was admitted to hospital last month, including a spell in palliative care at Leicester Royal Infirmary. He died on Saturday, July 31.
Carleen said he had cirrhosis of the liver, a condition arising from alcohol abuse.
He had been hit hard by the death of their mother three-and-a-half years ago and, more recently, by that of a fellow Big Issue seller, Carleen added.
A number of his regular customers had noted a deterioration in his health.
Holly O’Connor, sales and operations manager for The Big Issue in
He could be a bit of a nuisance at times, but he was known as a bit of a charmer
Sean’s sister, Carleen Irish
the Midlands, said: “Sean sold The Big Issue for over 13 years and in that time was one of the hardest-working vendors we had.
“He was incredibly well known and something of a landmark in Leicester. His lack of presence is felt within the local community, his customers and with the vendors. His cheeky demeanour and charisma will be sorely missed by everyone.”
Garth Coverdale, of Pilot clothing, on the corner of High Street and Carts Lane, said: “He sold the Big Issue outside the shop for a long time and he was a lovely friendly guy. He will be missed.
“It’s a sad story because you could see that his health had deteriorated recently.”
After the funeral at Gilroes at 2.30pm today, a wake will be held at the Addies Bar (formerly the Adventurers) in nearby Courtenay Road.