The late former Mayor of Wexford, Dominic Kiernan

“SURPRISED AND shocked” was how Independent Wexford Borough District Councillor Davy Hynes described his reaction on hearing the news of the passing of former Mayor of Wexford Dominic Kiernan.

Representatives from across the political spectrum paid tribute after a recent meeting of the council was adjourned as a mark of respect for the late Dublin native and adopted son of the model county town who served as Mayor of Wexford Borough District in 1987, 1996 and 2003.

As Cllr. Hynes highlighted, the popular Fianna Fáil party stalwart had been “totally immersed in the life of Wexford.

“I don’t think there was a man in Wexford who knew as much about the town,” he said.

Next to pay tribute was Cllr. Anthony Kelly, who described how Mr. Kiernan “wasn’t just a Mayor, he was an ambassador for Wexford.”

“He will be sadly missed,” Cllr. Kelly said, before extending his sympathies to the bereaved family.

The late Mr. Kiernan was a first cousin of People Before Profit Councillor Deirdre Wadding’s late father, as she informed those gathered.

Of the man whom she regarded as more of an uncle figure, she said Mr. Kiernan “was very proud of the fact that I was in the Council, despite the fact that I was of a completely different persuasion.”

Director of Services at Wexford County Council, Tony Larkin, who interacted with Mr. Kiernan as an elected community representative, said that it was “very hard to do full credit and justice to him in quick comments.”

Read more in the Wexford Echo.