Moynalty's 'Lord Mayor' delighted to be vaccinated

Moynalty man, Tommy Deignan, who celebrated his 90th birthday last month, was celebrating again this week when he received his Covid-19 vaccination.

He was delighted to 'get the jab' as the vaccination roll out continues across the county, with the promise for more freedom from Covid restrictions.

Tommy, who is the oldest living resident born and reared in Moynalty village, was recently surprised when a number of his friends, family, neighbours and national politicians joined together to wish him a happy 90th birthday via video message.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee joined with Fine Gael party colleagues, Tanaiste Leo Varadker and former Taoiseach John Bruton in recording a special video message for the Moynalty man, known locally and affectively as the "Lord Mayor of Moynalty".

He also received a special birthday card from An Taoiseach, Michael Martin TD who wished him well and hoped that he had an opportunity in the near future to celebrate his big birthday in his McCormack's Pub with his friends and family.

Tommy's father and mother were established business people in Moynalty village carrying out a shop and funeral undertaking business for many generations of Moynalty people. Tommy only retired recently having served the community of Moynalty along with his late sister, Josie.

The Deignan family occupied a shop and house in the centre of Moynalty which in a previous life was a police barracks and ran this small rural business from 1920 to 2010.

Over his 90 odd years living in Moynalty, Tommy has witnessed many changes. Great local characters, iconic motor cars, houses and their inhabitants have come and gone over his lifetime. The Moynalty streetscape has changed greatly over Tommy’s life, he has witnessed the introduction of running water and domestic toilets, rural electrification, and even the arrival of petrol pumps in Moynalty village.

He still retains a great interest in the daily life of Moynalty and its people.