Pillar of the community and a man of great faith
By Maurice Garvey
COMMUNITY pillar Tommy Phelan (87) was laid to rest this week – with an enormous turnout at his Funeral Mass in St Matthews Church on Wednesday morning.
Tommy was one of the first residents to move into Ballyfermot and dedicated his life wholeheartedly to securing vital services for the area – services which were non-existent at the time.
He successfully fought both Church and State for education, transport, sporting and community support services, and helped to establish the Ballyfermot Community Association.
Frank Phelan, Tommy’s son, said his father was fundamentally a man of faith.
Frank said: “He was originally from the city centre and was one of the first residents in Ballyfermot. His priority was family. He helped start up a credit union and lost the rest of his life to community work.
“He set up the BCA, and was involved in an education drive to get a community college (BCFE). In the 1970s he went on hunger strike outside City Hall to get a swimming pool for Ballyfermot.”
Finbar Furey, a close friend of Tommy, performed at the Mass, which was attended by many people from far and wide.
Tommy’s son Ted had previously performed at Finbar’s father’s Funeral Mass.
Dave Connolly, who worked with Tommy in the BCA, said his friend was “prominent in campaigning for a community college”, a “sports federation” and the “building of a sports complex in Drumfin”.
“He was a hugely important person – one of the main leaders in the community,” said Dave. “It’s a sad day. A big loss. He was unique, and of the generation that took on the Church and State.”
Beloved husband of the late Brenda, Tommy is sadly missed by his children Fintan, Tom, Christy, John, Miriam, Tony, Frank and Terri, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.
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