Fógraí bháis: Jerome Daly

The news of the death of Sinn Féin member Jerome Daly of Cockleshell Road, The Kerries, Tralee on Tuesday 1 July was met with great shock and sadness across Kerry.
Those who knew Jerome, particularly those closest to him, are struggling to come to terms with the tragic ending of his relatively short life.
Jerome approached life in a fantastic way. He took people as he found them, with a certain innocence, and without ever passing judgement.
He was a good husband to his wife Marcella, a devoted father to his two sons. His love for his mother and late father and his loyalty to his brothers and sisters was something to admire.
To those privileged to call him a friend, our lives were made so much richer. You could always rely on Jerome. If you needed help he was always first to your door.
A proud republican Jerome gave his all, approaching his political life as he did his private life – with dedication, generosity, integrity and a beautiful innocence.
When Martin Ferris first stood for election in 1997 it wouldn’t be unusual to have seen Jerome cycling around on his bike with a ladder and as many posters as he could carry under his arms. When he ran out of posters he would cycle back to the Sinn Féin office for more. That type of dedication that summed up Jerome Daly.
The void now left in the lives of his family, friends, comrades and work colleagues in Kerry County Council can never be filled. There are many hard working dedicated people out there but there was only one Jerome Daly.
Anyone who worked with Jerome will testify to his dedication to hard work and his commitment to his job. On one recent occasion when Kerry County Council were unveiling a bronze sculpting dedicated to Kerry’s footballing heritage on the outskirts of Tralee, Jerome had the job of ensuring the roadway was kept clear. When Jerome notice a large black Mercedes parked on a double yellow line he sprung into action and told the driver that he would have to move. When the driver pointed out that he was a member of the Special Branch and that the car belonged to Minister John O’Donoghue Jerome replied that he was just doing his job and that he would have to move. There was going to be no perks for the Minister from Jerome Daly and the car was moved.
Another recent happy memory people have of Jerome was at a Christening celebration in Barrow, Ardfert. He spent the entire day kicking ball with his son, Jerome Jnr. When Martin Ferris and Batt O’Shea, a former Kerry footballer, decided to join in the kick about Jerome became a bit more competitive. When the ball went up he would go up too. Jerome wasn’t the tallest of men, but he was a lot taller than Martin and Batt when they were on the flat of their backs.
Jerome loved his children and indeed he loved all children and would always find time to play with his nieces and nephews and it may have been his inner child and inner innocence that made him loved by so many. Many who have spoken of Jerome have expressed pride and a feeling of great honour and privilege to call him a friend. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends, possibly more than he could ever know.
Rest in Peace Jerome.