There is very little in politics that shocks me. But to hear on a bright Saturday just as
Spring is attempting to burst from the soil of a sudden death of someone
younger than you, that shocks. As I get
older I presume I’m a little naïve and instead should expect to be shocked more
often.
So hearing that Councillor Fergie Kehoe has tragically died
is an immense shock. Fergie served on
Wexford County Council and subsequently on Wexford Borough Council. That’s where
our paths crossed. Fergie sat opposite
me. Fergie had a twinkle in his eye and
a smile on his face always. He had a
great sense of humour and never held a political grudge…… even against me!
Fergie was a gentleman.
It was only in the last few years that he sat on the stand at the St
Patricks Day parade. Usually he’d be
selling ice cream or popcorn or coffee from his premises “Sidetracks”. Fergie was a local authority member for 9
years. He was someone who put Wexford first.
One particular incident I recall was during the count at the
last local election. Having read the
first count I concluded rightly that I was not going to be elected. Fergie in the course of the afternoon told me
“Don’t lose heart you can still make it”. So we chatted about how he thought
that transfers may on subsequent counts benefit me. I was realistic and said I couldn’t see
myself winning. Fergie responded “Wexford
has to elect 5 councillors, don’t lose heart, think positive, if not now when?”
Someday Fergie may be right about my chances of election and
if he is I’ll say a quiet thank you to the big guy who played snooker so
well. May Crosstown’s soft soil lie gently on your head.
