Taoiseach leads tributes to late John Naughten

Extensive tributes have been paid today to the late John Naughten, who passed away last night.

John, from Ardkeenan, Drum, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday. He was a sitting Roscommon county councillor, and Fine Gael candidate for the Roscommon/Galway constituency in the general election.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “We are utterly bereft at the death of our friend and colleague, John Naughten.

“John was a decent, gentle, personable and hard-working man. He had friends and close colleagues across the political spectrum. He was a caring father, brother, son and husband.

“John is much loved by all of us.

“He won five elections and was our candidate in the next General Election. He was elected on the first count with a big vote in June, a fact he was typically modest about.

“John was a passionate farmer and a tireless advocate for the people of Roscommon. We have lost a talented politician, but much more tragically, a close and wonderful family have lost a loved husband and father.

“To John’s wife Breda, to his daughters Emma, Leah and Orlaith, to his mother, Mary, as well as his siblings Marian, Aine, Denis, Seamus, Liam Óg, Joseph and Dermot, I am so sorry for your loss.

John worked as a farmer and for the last 21 years as a public representative.

He was co-opted to Roscommon County Council in 2003 and was elected on the first count at the following year’s local elections and successfully retained his seat at the four subsequent local elections.

John previously served as Chair of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

In a statement released on behalf of Roscommon County Council, Chief Executive Shane Tiernan has said that it is with profound shock and sadness that he learned of the untimely death of Cllr. John Naughten.

“At the outset, I would like to extend my sympathies to his wife Breda, daughters Emma, Leah and Orlaith, brothers Denis, Seamus, Liam Óg, Joseph and Dermot, sisters Marian and Áine, his mother Mary and his many friends and colleagues.

“John Naughten possessed all of the best qualities one would find not only in a public representative but in human nature itself. He was pleasant, unassuming, approachable, fair and hard-working. He worked selflessly and always in the best interests of others.

“His loss will be acutely felt, not only by his family, but also by the public he served and his colleagues on Roscommon County Council.

The late John Naughten was the third member of his family to serve on Roscommon County Council following in the footsteps of his brother Denis, and his late father Liam, a former TD and Senator.

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice said the late John Naughten commanded respect across the political divide and would be a huge loss, not only to political life, but to the life of County Roscommon.

“As Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council I share the deep shock and sadness on learning of John’s passing.

“John was a warm and engaging individual. But beneath that exterior was a man of sound political judgement, of deep integrity with a passion for getting things done.

As a mark of respect to the late Cllr. John Naughten, both the tricolour and Roscommon flag will be lowered to half-mast. A Book of Condolence for the late Cllr Naughten will be available for the public to express their sympathies in Áras an Chontae from 11am on Monday morning, October 7.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said John Naughten’s death was utterly devastating for his family, his neighbours and his colleagues.

Dympna Daly Finn, who was also chosen on the Fine Gael ticket for the general election, and Senator Aisling Dolan have also expressed their sadness and sympathies to the late John Naughten’s family and friends.