LABOUR PARTY leader, Eamon Gilmore released the following statement earlier today, sympathising with the family of Cllr. Pat Cody, Enniscorthy Town Chairman who sadly passed away on Thursday.

“I was very saddened to hear of the death of Pat Cody and my thoughts today are with his wife Breda, and their daughter Aislinn.”

He stated that as a health professional, Cllr. Cody was a passionate campaigner for disability rights and for decent health services, in Enniscorthy, and indeed all over the county.

“He bore his illness with great courage and didn’t let it get in the way of his work as a public representative. Just a few short weeks ago he successfully stood for election as Chair of Enniscorthy Town Council and as Leas Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council.”

He described the Labour councillor as a straight talker, a quality that endeared him to his Labour party colleagues and to the people of Enniscorthy.

“He ran as a candidate for the Labour Party in the 2011 election, and during the campaign, as Pat and myself walked through Enniscorthy, I was struck by the affection in which he was held by the people locally, and the genuine connection he had with them.”

He added: “As an honorary organiser for SIPTU health workers, he was held in very high esteem by his colleagues in the health services.

“Pat was well known for his caring and compassionate manner as a psychiatric nurse during a career that spanned three decades in St Senan’s in Enniscorthy.

“He served the Labour Party with great dignity and with great honour, and we were privileged to have Pat Cody among our numbers.”