‘This was supposed to be a positive occasion, a change of scenery from our usual West Cork Municipal District meetings in Dunmanway. Instead, it is an incredibly sad day, as our much-loved friend and colleague, Cllr Joe Carroll, is no longer with us.’

Cllr Caroline Cronin’s opening remarks at the monthly municipal district meeting at the Mizen Head Visitors’ Centre on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula expressed what everyone was thinking: outside the sun was shining, and all looked right with the world, but not having Joe at a meeting is like having soup without the salt!

‘It has been an extremely emotional week,’ Cllr Cronin said.

‘We have lost an extraordinary individual, a true legend, and a valued colleague. His passing after a short illness on Friday April 24th came as a shock, as well as a huge loss for West Cork.’

Cllr Cronin spoke about the love and the humour contained in every eulogy at his requiem mass; how respectful everyone was when they closed the roads; and the over-riding sense of sincerity and indeed order of the funeral procession to his final resting place.

‘There has been a lingering sadness since the passing of Cllr Patrick Ger Murphy (FF), seven months ago, and now here we are again with another profound loss,’ she said.

‘Everything feels different now: two remarkable personalities gone, two great men. One brought a real understanding of policy, the other, a practical wisdom and unmistakable charisma.’

On behalf of all of his Council colleagues, and all of the Council employees, Cllr Cronin once again offered their sincere and heartfelt sympathy to Joe’s heartbroken family: Sheila, Linda, Kieran and his adored granddaughter Anna.