Gardaí at Castlerea are appealing for witnesses following a fatal traffic incident in County Roscommon on Saturday, January 27th, 2024.
The man who died has been named at John Connor a former TD and Senator from Cloonshanville in Frenchpark.
Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan paid tribute to his former colleague saying:
“Like so many I was deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of my former colleague John Connor.
“John was the standard bearer for Fine Gael in North and Mid Roscommon from 1981 to 2002 representing his people in both Seanad and Dáil Eireann”.
“John went on to represent his local community as a member of the local authority up and until 2009.
He led the Fine Gael group of councillors for many years succeeding himself to be elected Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Co Council an appointment he was most proud of”.
“In 2002 I was honoured to’ take up the baton’ from John in the Oireachtas when I was elected to the Seanad, during the years following I was privileged to have his support and advice on many occasions especially during the Dail elections of 2007, 2011 and 2020″.
“John was a proud Roscommon man and fought hard to build the infrastructure of the County especially in the north of the county while always representing the ordinary people who for different reasons required his assistance and advice in ensuring they had access to the supports of the state that they were entitled to.
“He had broad interests including history and foreign affairs, he volunteered for the United Nations often as an observer in elections in countries who had little experience of democracy. John attended so many talks and lectures around the history of his local area or about how this nation took shape as a democracy from the beginning of the last century. He was an exceptional public speaker and loved to debate politics and history with the opposition of the day and indeed colleagues, where he demonstrated his brilliant depth of knowledge, vocabulary and command of the English language.
“In essence John was a man of integrity with a kind heart and wonderful interest and appetite for life, he will be missed by so many including his neighbours, Fine Gael friends and public reps former and present but especially his family, may he rest in peace.”
Anyone with information on the RTC is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094-9621630, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
John’s Funeral details have also been announced:
The death has occurred of John Connor, Cloonshanville, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon
Former Fine Gael TD, Senator and Councillor.
February 14th, 1944 – January 27th, 2024
Peacefully, with his family by his side, in University Hospital, Sligo
Sadly missed and remembered with love by his sisters Margaret (Cady) and Anne (Gallagher), brothers-in-law Gerry and Brendan, nephews John, Barry, Paul, Jarlath and Ulick and their families Karey, Rebekah, Cecilia, Claudine, Erin, Milena, Nicolás, James, Ellie, Abby, Isabel, Henry and Heidi, to Pat and Margaret Moran, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends
May He Rest in Peace.
John will repose in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Frenchpark on Wednesday from 5pm until 7.30pm. Removal from the funeral home on Thursday to St. Asicus’ Church, Frenchpark arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 11.30am, followed by interment in Cloonshanville cemetery.
