The has taken place in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where he underwent emergency heart surgery, of Tom Daly, formerly from Belleek who served as Chairman of Fermanagh District Council for three terms in the 1970's. He was 69.

When first elected in June, 1975, at the age of 36, he was the youngest and the first Catholic chairman of Fermanagh Council since the Northern Ireland State was formed. His election was unique in that he secured the seat against a Unionist rival, Eddie Elliot with the support of two liberal-minded Unionists.

One of them, the late George Cathcart appealed, in vain, to his Party colleagues, reminding them of a fledgling agreement that the chairmanships should rotate annually between Unionists and Nationalists.

The two Unionists' generous gesture was not lost on Councillor Daly. In a subsequent New Year's message, he said the Council comprised people of differing political outlooks, yet they came and sat around a table without sacrificing principle and agreed with their neighbours to work for the betterment of everyone in the area".

His terms as Council chairman, where he worked closely with the then chief executive, Gerry Burns represented a golden era for the economy of Fermanagh. Contracts were signed for leisure centres in Enniskillen and Lisnaskea, and for the Ardhowen Theatre and, under Mr Daly's leadership, cross-border cooperation became a reality.

News of his death shocked a wide circle of people who knew him until he resigned his seat on the Council in early 1979 and went to live in Salthill in County Galway. However, he returned regularly to the county where two of his there sisters live, Anne (Lisnaskea) and Marion (Belcoo). A third sister, Dympna, who lives in Mountcharles and his brother, Bishop Edward, the retired bishop of Derry complete the sibling circle.

Gerry Burns described Tom Daly as a highly competent person in local government: "He was one of the best Councillors that I came across in terms of understanding the process and procedures in local government.

"As chairman of Fermanagh District Council', he went on, "he was scrupulously fair in his dealings and, even when confronting difficult issues, he retained an objective and informed attitude".

Mr Burns recalled that, working alongside Mr Daly in the 70's was a time of progress for Fermanagh despite the Troubles, and how the two of them were involved in a number of projects, including many with a cross-border link to adjacent counties.

"The Erne Catchment Study, in fact, was the forerunner of many developments, too many to mention. Tom was held with great regard by his political friends and adversaries alike, and his efforts in local government were always focused on that which would benefit Fermanagh.

"I greatly appreciated his friendship", Mr Burns concluded, "and I can recall many happy occasions alongside him during his time on the Council. I am deeply sorry that he has been taken at an early age and my prayers will be with his family".

The late Tom Daly is immediately survived by Trudi, Thomas, Fiona, Roger, Gerard and Esther, and by his grandchildren, Maebh and Caoimhe.

His funeral takes place tomorrow (Thursday), at 12 noon in the Sacred Heart Church, Westside, Galway. The burial is to Rahoon Cemetery.