Political figures pay tribute to Cllr Joe Reilly

Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has said Meath Sinn Féin are "heartbroken" at the loss of friend and comrade, Joe Reilly who "did so much and touched so many lives for the better".

He said: "The whole Sinn Féin family in Meath and right through the country is in mourning today. While Joe was seriously ill for a good few months he was still active until just this Tuesday.  My deepest sympathies to his brothers and sisters."

"Joe was a community activist, a volunteer, a political prisoner, the first Sinn Fein cllr elected in Meath for 76 years, the first Sinn Féin Mayor in Meath for nearly 100 years, a Good Friday Agreement negotiator and the engineer of the phenomenal growth of Meath Sinn Fein.

"Joe was an eating, breathing, sleeping 24 hour Irish republican. After serving over 10 years as a political prisoner in one of the toughest prisons in Europe, Joe came out of jail and started to politically organise in Meath. He along with a handful of others spent another nine years knocking on doors, campaigning and working for their community before taking a council seat.

"Joe Reilly was a progressive and an internationalist but he never forgot the pot he was boiled in. The Commons Road, Navan, Bohermeen and Meath were very dear to his heart.

"Joe knew the importance of credibility. As the first SF councillor in Meath County Council, he was an unknown entity at the time and he knew that he had to define what it meant to be a SF elected rep. 

"When Joe made a deal he didn’t break it. He resisted opportunities to take cheap shots at council staff or innocent third parties. Joe has a strong sense of justice and he has stood up for the rights of minorities even when it meant swimming against the political tide.  This is what leadership means.

"On a personal level, Joe was a rock of sense. People from all political parties and none would regularly lean on Joe for help and advice and Joe would be there for them. Anyone that knows Joe knows that its always hyper dangerous to go for a coffee with him. He was always building and you would come away with four new jobs to do. 

"Joe was a good friend, who wouldn’t shy from telling you the truth. He was unique. Its fair to say that they  don’t make Joe Reilly’s anymore. Joe did so much and touched so many lives for the better. In tens of thousands of houses around Ireland Joe Reilly will never be forgotten. "

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has expressed his “deep sense of loss” at the death of long-time friend and comrade Cllr Joe Reilly and extended his condolences to Joe's family.

"Joe Reilly was a small man – his nickname was Roundy – with a great heart and a big vision. He loved his family, was a community activist, a lover of music, of the arts, of Samuel Beckett, of the Irish language, and the GAA, He was a proud republican who loved Ireland.

“I have known Joe for many years. He was a good friend and a long standing party member. Joe was imprisoned in Portlaoise for 10 years in the 1970s and '80s. Later, in 1994, he was elected as a local councillor and, for a time, he was also Ard Runaí (General Secretary) of the party.

“Joe was the embodiment of the republican activist. He was deeply committed to Sinn Féin and our Republican objectives. He was very socially and culturally conscious, worked hard to improve the conditions for working people and was a staunch feminist who left his sick bed last week to vote 'Yes' in the repeal referendum.

“Joe was a part of the Sinn Féin leadership which developed our peace strategy and participated in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement.

“He was also widely known for his community and council work, especially with the Solstice Arts Centre. This week, Joe attended the launch of a new two-year creative investment by eCOMM Merchant Solutions which he initiated along with company’s owners Noel and Valerie Moran.

“This week, he was also due to attend the opening of a new building for Springboard in Navan which provides Family Support Services. Joe, along with Andy Connolly, was instrumental in establishing this organisation in 1998. He was also an advocate and strong supporter of Crann, a flagship childcare community based service.

“I am lucky and honoured to know Joe. He was an extraordinary, compassionate, decent human being. Yesterday, we spent some time together. He faced his death with great courage. He will be missed by all of us who knew him."

Meath County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Gerry O'Connor, said: 

"Joe is going to be a big loss to the council. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and also his extended family within his own political party. I know his seven councillor colleagues in Meath are very upset at this time and we are thinking of them also.

"Joe has been a long time servant to the county and particularly Navan. He was a people's man and he represented them conscientiously and robustly. He fought for facilities and for fairness in the way the county and town were treated. When Joe spoke, we listened and we will be less of a Council with the loss of his experience.

"Joe obviously had a national profile too and played major part in some of the major decisions in relation to restoration of peace up the North, and I would like to acknowledge that as well."

Junior Housing Minister Damien English: 

"I am very saddened to hear of the death of a true champion of Navan - former Mayor Cllr Joe Reilly of Sinn Fein. As members of Meath County Council, we served together between 1999 and 2004. Joe was always a pleasure to work with. Whilst our parties would have very clear policy differences nationally, he was a gentlemen to work with locally. He was always driven by a practical patriotism for Navan and Meath, and we continued to keep in touch on issues of concern during my time as a TD and more recently as a Minister. His courage in the face of illness over the last year did not lessen his commitment to public and community service. My deepest sympathies go to his family, friends and party colleagues."

Cllr Sinead Burke

"I was proud to call Joe Reilly my friend as well as my mentor.

"There are not many people in Navan, that have not known the generousity,  decency and committment he demonstrated in everything he did.

"The town is a poor and sadder place without him. However, he leaves a legacy of igniting community spirit and political activism that he should be proud of."

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Tommy Reilly

"I was on the council with Joey for 24 years and never had a row with him. We may have disagreed, but we could always work it out.

"The work he did for the goodof Navan, the county and the country as a whole was phenomenal.

"Navan was his first love. His colleagues would say Navan was Joey's castle.

"He was very passionate about providing facilities for Navan such as the Aura facility, the Unity Centre and the Solstice Centre.

"Some years ago when the decision was taken to increase parking charges to €1 to finance the Solstice Arts Centre, he supported it. As the lone Sinn Fein councillor he could have opposed it when others were protesting, but he didnt, instead he made sure the money was ring fenced for the Solstice.

"Housing was another big issue for Joey and partricularly the provision of quality housing."