By Claire Corrigan
It truly is the end of an era. Last week, Deputy Willie Penrose announced that he would be stepping down as TD for the Longford-Westmeath constituency, to the great shock of all supporters of the long-standing and well liked politician.
It was announced that Westmeath GAA star Alan ‘Budda’ Mangan would stand as the Labour candidate for the next general election.
On the night, sincere and devout tributes to Deputy Penrose painted a picture of how the Ballynacargy man had rightfully earned a place in the hearts of his constituents over his many years of service and tireless efforts to make changes for the betterment of the Longford/Westmeath area.
Jan O’Sullivan TD was among those who paid tribute to Deputy Penrose for his many years of dedicated service to the area. “He is our very dear colleague, who has served for 26 years in Dáil Éireann on behalf of this constituency. Willie is the heart and soul of the Labour party. Willie stands for our values in a way which I cherish.”
Addressing the crowd, Deputy Penrose made a heartfelt speech, praising all those who had helped him along his remarkable journey to becoming one of the most well respected TDs in the Dáil.
“It’s the first time in 35 years, I will not be seeking a nomination from the Labour party. As one looks backwards, it holds a hint of nostalgia, but as my mother, who was the real driving force behind my political ambitions, always said, looking back gives you a creak in the neck,” he remarked.
“I want to thank the loyal people from Longford Westmeath who have put their trust in me over this long period of time. I always greatly valued the fact that people placed their trust in me by placing a tick or number beside my name when it came to casting their vote. And to do so, so consistently and fruitfully for almost three and a half decades, is something that greatly heartens me and, personally, I never took for granted at any stage.”
He also paid tribute to his wife, Anne and their three daughters, his brothers and sisters and extended family for their support.
“To all the people who worked tirelessly for me and canvassed for me, I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude. I always appreciated the fact that supporters carried the torch to every door across the constituency for no personal gain or reward, save that they are imbued with a belief of the Labour Party’s values and ethos. You deserve the sincerest thanks for putting up with me, foibles and all.”
Deputy Penrose said that as he approached the end of his political service, he hoped to be remembered as a TD who had always done his best for his constituents and never engaged “on a personal level” with a political opponent or engaged in vitriol of any kind.
“I always respected every elected person’s mandate, irrespective of the fact that I might have fundamentally disagreed with their views or opinions. I respected in every way the fundamental tenet of democracy, that the people are always right when they cast their vote. I have always tried to represent every person, many thousands of people over the years who came to me, to the best of my ability,” he said.
“I never cared a whit about a person’s political persuasion. Once elected, it was my fiduciary duty to represent them and I hope, when I am finished, that people will say, ‘he might have failed but at least he always tried to do his best’”.
Deputy Penrose then officially proposed Alan Mangan.
TRIBUTES
Former Councillor Denis Leonard paid tribute to Deputy Penrose, saying that Alan was “following in fantastic footsteps. I guarantee you will be elected if you look after the small person on the ground. Willie has done such much work for so many people, and 90 per cent of it will never be recognised because it was done in a quiet, determined way, to make sure people had their entitlements and their rights. Willie is the reason so many of us got into politics.”
Peter Keaney spoke of how the long-standing political figure “speaks commons sense. He is a common sense kind of guy. He may be blunt sometimes but he has integrity and what he says comes from the heart. It was a pleasure canvassing for him.”
One of the Deputy Penrose’s good friends, Billy Moore, who worked very closely with him during many elections, shed a tear as he spoke of his great respect for the Labour man.
“He put his heart and soul into this party and the people. He did it for the people. When he was sick, he was back in his minister’s chair two weeks after surgery for cancer and I think we shouldn’t forget that.”
Deputy Penrose’s brother, Cllr Johnnie Penrose joined in the tributes for his contribution to the community.
“A commitment to honesty and hard work was and is his hallmark as a public representative. This hallmark he has clearly shown since his first election to Dáil Éireann, when he brightened up a dark and dreary winter for us with historic victory in 1992,” he said.
Willie Penrose’s daughter Aisling also paid tribute to her father, saying that he had done his family proud, words that clearly touched the dedicated family man’s heart.
“He really has given the constituents of Longford Westmeath so much service. He gives it his all. He’s honest, he’s blunt, he’s to the point. I want to acknowledge how proud we are of him. On behalf of myself, Niamh and Deirdre, I want to say congratulations and well done,” she said.
