Senator's tribute to friend and mentor as Paddy Fitzsimons' funeral to take place Monday

The senior Fianna Fail public representative in Meath West and Navan, Senator Shane Cassells, has paid tribute to the late Paddy Fitzsimons, who served local politics for a quarter of a century.

Mr Fitzsimons’ funeral will take place in Navan on Monday.

Senator Cassells paid tribute to Mr Fitzsimons as both his mentor and friend.

"I've known Paddy all my life and to be elected to the council with him back in 1999 was a great honour," he stated.

"He was so passionate about Navan and he was such a father like figure on the council to us.

"As a member of the Civic Trust he worked for causes such as the Arts Centre and was also a big advocate for local industry. He was Navan to his fingertips.”

Paddy Fitzsimons died peacefully at his Aylesbury Lodge home on Thursday 31st December, surrounded by his family.

Predeceased by his sisters, Breda Ryan and Rosaleen Faulkner, and brothers, Michael and Tom; he is survived by his wife, Gretta; family, Padraig, Dara, Arlene and Jarlath, eleven grandchildren; sister, Marie Gavigan, and brother, Jim, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, the wider Navan community and a large circle of friends.

Removal is on Monday morning from his residence (via Brews Hill) to arrive in St Mary's Church for Funeral Mass for 12 noon. Burial immediately afterwards in St. Mary's Cemetery, Navan.

In keeping with government guidelines, the Funeral Mass will take place privately and can be viewed on navanparish.ie/livestream.