FUNERAL arrangements have been confirmed this morning for former Donegal County Councillor, Dessie Larkin, who passed away suddenly at his home in Newmills on Monday morning.

 

Tributes continue to flood in for the Letterkenny man whose death at the age of 49 has stunned and saddened the local community.

In recent times, Mr Larkin had worked in an administrative role with Donegal County Council having previously served as former Mayor of Letterkenny Town Council and Donegal County Council.

 

The late Mr Larkin’s remains will repose at his home at Dooen Glebe, Newmills, from 11am on Wednesday 20th March and Thursday 21st of March, until rosary both nights at 9pm.

Funeral from there on Friday March 22, going to St Eunan’s Cathedral for Requiem Mass at 12 noon, followed by interment afterwards in Conwal Graveyard.

Family time on the morning of the funeral please.

Family flowers only. Donations, if wished to Pieta House C/O Pascal Blake, Funeral Directors, Stoney Arch, New Line Road, Letterkenny.

Shuttle bus will be in operation from Larkin’s New Mills to the wake house.

 

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Leas Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann has extended his sympathies to the family of the late Dessie Larkin, whose sudden and untimely death Monday has sent an unbelievable shock and numbness right throughout the county.

“I knew and worked closely with Dessie in the past and I always found him to be a capable and most effective politician, he was a firm advocate for his constituents and a passionate Letterkenny man through and through.

“Dessie was first elected to Donegal County Council in 1999, having previously been co-opted onto Letterkenny Town Council in place of his late father James, who was a long-time member of the Town Council and served as Town Mayor on numerous occasions.

“Dessie was a most active and effective local Councillor, having served on various strategic committees of the Council and then serving as Mayor of the County in addition to being Mayor of Letterkenny. He was a great advocate of supporting Letterkenny Town expansion, properly planning for the ever expanding future of the town, supporting businesses in the town and the provision of social housing and proper infrastructure for the Town and surrounding areas. Dessie was also a long  serving  member of Donegal VEC and served as its Chairperson also.

Deputy Gallagher concluded: “I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, their children Danielle, Courtney, James and Matthew, to his mother Eileen and his brothers and sisters. No words will ever convey the extent of their loss on this sad occasion, a life cut short is always difficult to comprehend and understand but comfort can be taken from the outpouring of the people, and the recognition that in his life Dessie made a massive contribution to his area and that will remain his lasting legacy.”