Tributes to Castleblayney community activist

Affectionate tributes were paid to Mindszenty Finnegan of Lakeview, Castleblayney, at Monday’s meeting of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District. Cathaoirleach Paul Gibbons (SF) led the tributes to the man who did a huge amount of work in Castleblayney, adding that it was only right the MD convey its sympathies to his family and many friends.

Mindszenty was synonymous with Castleblayney, Gibbons observed, because he reclaimed a piece of waste ground behind his house, turning it into an amenity for the community, incorporating a green space, football pitch and recreational area. “He was doing the council’s work for us - quietly, selflessly. He loved nature, the environment and was a key figure in the Tidy Towns movement,” the Castleblayney-based councillor commented.

The cathoirleach reflected he would miss the many chats he had with Mindszenty, whose knowledge of the town was unsurpassed. The late Mr Finnegan also played an integral role in Blayney Rovers. In short, he was a huge loss to everyone who knew him.

Fellow Castleblayney-based Cllr Aidan Campbell (FG) said that Mindszenty was “one of a kind, who possessed many great traits”. The retired community activist had spent his career as the local postman, doing his rounds on foot.

Cllr Campbell noted the work the late Castleblayney native conducted over years on the land behind his house, which was subsequently named Mindszenty Park, recognition he thoroughly deserved. Cllr Campbell often observed the Tidy Towns volunteer working around the Black Island beauty spot. Blayney Rovers would miss him terribly too.

“He knew the history of the town and would often pull-out picture postcards from his pocket, dating back to the 1950s and ‘60s. He was a Castleblayney man at heart.” Expressing sympathies to all affected by the loss, Cllr Campbell concluded by requesting that the MD step into the breach and continue the work Mindszenty did in life.

Cllr PJ O’Hanlon (FF) said that he had met the late Mr Finnegan on a couple of occasions but Mindszenty’s reputation as a great community man in Castleblayney had preceded him. He was a valued volunteer in the community.

Sinn Fein’s Colm Carthy revealed how he got to know Mr Finnegan some years ago. Seeing that he was so central to everything, Cllr Carthy said it would not have surprised him if he saw him in the crib at Christmas. He gave himself to the community and formed part of Castleblayney’s story. His family, friends and all who knew the deceased would miss him.

Wishing to be associated with the kind words of previous contributors, Cllr Noel Keelan (SF) observed that Mr Finnegan was a community activist his entire life. Castleblayney was lucky to have him and others like him who dedicated themselves to the betterment of their area. He will never be forgotten as the park bearing his name will form part of his legacy.

Cllr Keelan supported the vote of sympathy, which was deemed unanimous by Cathaoirleach Cllr Gibbons.