THERE WAS widespread shock and grief at the weekend following the sudden and tragic death of a well-known county councillor.
Cllr. Fergie Kehoe (51) was found dead at his family’s home place on Fisher’s Row on Saturday morning, the news of which paralysed the county in collective shock and grief.
The popular councillor had, the previous night, taken to his Facebook profile to encourage his many friends to be mindful of the struggles that others may be going through. He appealed to them, saying that one phone call or message could help: “Help those who need it, who you’re friends with or who you love. Don’t turn your back, it could be you tomorrow.”
The son of John and the late Eileen, Cllr. Kehoe is survived by his wife Frances, his 15-year-old son Oisin, his father John, brothers Tom, Robbie, Sean and Eamon and extended family and friends.
Cllr. Kehoe was first elected to Wexford Co. Council in 2007 and was re-elected in May 2014, having sat on Wexford Borough Council in the interim.
Born and reared in Wexford town, he was involved in every facet of public life, from local politics to the business community, and was generally revered for his civic-mindedness, being described by Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin as a “great champion for the town.”
While in recent years, he was well-known on the Wexford political scene, he first made his mark in business and was best known for owning and running the popular restaurant ‘Sidetracks’, on Wexford quay, which he operated for 18 years until August 2014.
An easy-going and affable personality, Cllr. Kehoe exhibited a great sense of humour, particularly across the council chamber with his colleagues. He was also famed for his love of music and earned the nickname ‘Fergie Diamond’ for his rendition of the Neil Diamond classic ‘Sweet Caroline’.
He was a keen promoter of anything which he believed would benefit the county.
On the political side of things, Cllr. Kehoe was a vocal contributor on all issues, which varied from social housing to fishing quotas, business issues or school places. He has been a firm campaigner on the issue of mental health facilities for Co. Wexford.
As jury foreman for Co. Wexford Coroner’s Court, he regularly lamented the lack of mental health facilities, calling on many occasions for an increased level of out-of-hours services. He believed it was an issue which transcended the discourse of politics.
