Appreciation
Tomás MacGiolla
Tomás MacGiolla who was TD for Dublin West from 1982 -1992, and Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1993-1994, was described by the Taoiseach as a politician of sincerity and strong conviction with a long record of service to the people of Dublin. He was all of these things. However, his alter ego until 1977, when he retired early from ESB, was Tom Gill, Revenue Unit Head, Dublin South.
The man’s absolute integrity was the common link and his ability to ‘keep all the balls in the air without compromise’ was a feat that only Tom could master.
Tom was a supportive and effective work colleague, but he was also great fun. At a time when few had cars, Tom could be relied on for a lift. A seat for Stillorgan Shopping Centre was a particular prize but the requirement was that lifts could not be booked ‘provisionally’. A technician fixing the phone in the office one time remarked that “he was a ringer for yer’ man on the telly”! Tom feigned umbrage at the very suggestion and the technician apologised.
Tomás did not do pride or spin but you just knew that he would have regarded his election as Lord Mayor of Dublin as a particular honour, primarily because of the opportunity that it provided to highlight issues and deliver for the people across the city that he represented. Born in Nenagh, although he spent a lifetime away from his native place, he was still a Tipp boy at heart. A local remarked when Tom started in ESB that he “had a great job clerking in Dublin, he was high in the ‘lectric’!
Tomás had a full life ranging as it did from his early days in active republicanism through to his election to Dáil Éireann and, throughout these often-turbulent times, he maintained a very clear view of what it meant to be an elected representative of the people and the great responsibilities it brought.
May, his wife, was a constant in all his adult life and she was a support to him in everything he did. Her loss is enormous and we extend our sympathies to her.
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.
