The longest serving elected member in the history of Clare County Council, who passed away today, has been described by the Mayor of Clare as a father figure for former colleagues and a wonderful ambassador for his native County Clare.
Mayor Joe Arkins said he was saddened to hear of the passing of PJ Burke from Clounlaheen, who served as an Independent County Councillor for 45 years.
PJ Burke was first elected to Clare County Council in 1941, a position he held for only one year after Minister Sean McEntee announced the abolition of the local authority and the appointment in its place of a commissioner. PJ successfully ran for election in 1945 when the Council was reconstituted. He lost his seat in the 1950 Local Election but regained his Council position in 1960. He retained his seat in the Milltown Electoral Area in five subsequent elections until 1999. His father Tom was also a County Councillor from 1924 until his death, at the age of 65, in 1941. His grandfather, Garret Burke, was elected a Sinn Féin Rural District councillor in 1905 and later became a County Councillor.
Mayor Arkins said: "PJ was very genuine. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always seen as a father figure for colleagues. He was very much involved in the campaign for the development of health services at Ennis General Hospital and vehemently opposed any downgrading of the facility. He continued his interest in public life for years after retiring as a public representative in 1999. I would like to extend my sympathies to PJ’s wife Mary and his family.”
Mr. Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager commented: "PJ was one of the first Councillors I met when I was appointed Clare County Secretary in 1995 . He made me feel very welcome in the role and welcome to County Clare. He was a gentlemen and a pleasure to work. I always found PJ to be very effective at representing the interests of the people who had elected him to the Council."
Mayor Joe Arkins said he was saddened to hear of the passing of PJ Burke from Clounlaheen, who served as an Independent County Councillor for 45 years.
PJ Burke was first elected to Clare County Council in 1941, a position he held for only one year after Minister Sean McEntee announced the abolition of the local authority and the appointment in its place of a commissioner. PJ successfully ran for election in 1945 when the Council was reconstituted. He lost his seat in the 1950 Local Election but regained his Council position in 1960. He retained his seat in the Milltown Electoral Area in five subsequent elections until 1999. His father Tom was also a County Councillor from 1924 until his death, at the age of 65, in 1941. His grandfather, Garret Burke, was elected a Sinn Féin Rural District councillor in 1905 and later became a County Councillor.
Mayor Arkins said: "PJ was very genuine. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always seen as a father figure for colleagues. He was very much involved in the campaign for the development of health services at Ennis General Hospital and vehemently opposed any downgrading of the facility. He continued his interest in public life for years after retiring as a public representative in 1999. I would like to extend my sympathies to PJ’s wife Mary and his family.”
Mr. Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager commented: "PJ was one of the first Councillors I met when I was appointed Clare County Secretary in 1995 . He made me feel very welcome in the role and welcome to County Clare. He was a gentlemen and a pleasure to work. I always found PJ to be very effective at representing the interests of the people who had elected him to the Council."
