The Final Frame

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.