It is with deep regret that we learned of the recent death of the former Mayor of Fingal, Margaret (Mags) Murray (née O’Keeffe) (Clonsilla, Dublin 15 and formerly of Cregane, Charlevile, Co. Cork .Mags passed away peacefully on June 13th 2020 in the loving care of the staff at St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown. She was the beloved wife of Gary and dear mother of Niall, Aoife and Amy and is sadly missed by her loving husband, son, daughters, grandson Alex, father Connie, brother Neilus, sisters Ita and Noreen, Niall’s partner Natalie, Amy’s partner Bruno, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.
Due to Government advice regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral took place in St Mochtas Church Porterstown Road Clonsilla , Dublint on Tuesday 16th. June with many sympathisers watching the service on webcam. In keeping with her caring nature Mags family requested that there should be family flowers only, with donations, if desired, to St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.
The current Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien led the tributes to his former colleague Mags, saying “I am greatly saddened to hear of the untimely passing of my former colleague and party member Mags Murray. She was an outstanding public representative who worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents. Mags was a wonderful Ambassador for the County during her term as Mayor. She made an enormous contribution during her time as an elected representative and she will be greatly missed. Mags had a deep love of her community and a great deal of respect for local government. She was a proud Corkonian and an accomplished sportsperson, holding All Ireland medals for Camogie and Gaelic football. On behalf of myself, my fellow Councillors, party members and Fingal County Council, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Mags’ family, relatives and friends at this difficult time.” Fingal Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Mags was a deeply committed public representative who served her constituents in the Castleknock area with dedication and commitment during her time on Fingal County Council. She was unwavering in her dedication to serve the people she represented, and she made a significant and telling contribution to the lives of many.”
Mags was first elected as a Fingal County Councillor in the Castleknock Local Electoral Area at the 2004 elections as a member of the Progressive Democrats. She was subsequently an unsuccessful candidate for the party in the 2007 General election in the Dublin West constituency. As the Progressive Democrats became defunct she joined Fianna Fáil in February 2008. In June 2014 Mags was elected Mayor of Fingal County Council due to the support of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and a number of Independents.. She served until 2015 and in 2015 she hosted the Annual Mayor’s Conference. She was also the Chairperson of LAMA, the Local Authority Members Association.during her term on the Council. She lost her seat in the 2019 local elections.A digital book of condolences was opened following the death of the long-standing former Mayor and Councillor who gave so much to this community and who will be sorely missed but long remembered by those who knew her.