Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Senator Pearse Doherty pays tribute to the two Donegal Sinn Féin members who have died following a road tragedy today

Published: 9 November, 2008

Note to all: Please ignore earlier statement and use this amended statement instead

Senator Pearse Doherty pays tribute to the two Donegal Sinn Féin members who have died following a road tragedy today
"Cllr PJ Branley and Dessie McNulty exemplified all that is best about Irish republicanism"

Paying tribute to the two senior members of Donegal Sinn Féin who have died following a road tragedy today, Mayor of Ballyshannon, Cllr PJ Branley, and Dessie McNulty, Donegal Sinn Féin Senator, Pearse Doherty said that "Cllr PJ Branley and Dessie McNulty exemplified all that is best about Irish republicanism". He also conveyed his condolences to the family of Michael O Sullivan, the young man who also died in the two car colission.

Speaking on behalf of Donegal Sinn Féin, Senator Doherty said:
"This is a devastating blow for all of these families. I want to convey our deepest sympathy to PJ's wife Mary, his sons John, Patrick, Liam, and Ciaran, his daughters, Sharon and Rosaleen, his sisters Mary and Nora, and his 14 grandchildren. Our deepest sympathy also goes out to Dessies' mother Bridget, his brothers, Joe (London), Peter and Eamonn (Australia), James, Bernard, and Michael, and his sisters Anne and Mary. My condolences are also conveyed to the family of Michael O Sullivan, the young man who also died in the two car collision. ".

"Cllr PJ Branley and Dessie McNulty exemplified all that is best about Irish republicanism. All of us in Donegal Sinn Féin are absolutely devastated at their loss".

"The election of PJ as Mayor of Ballyshannon earlier this year was a justified culmination of many years of dedicated service to his local community, particularly in the area of community development. PJ also gave decades of service to the cause of Irish republicanism, imprisoned twice, in the early 1970s and mid 1980s. He was an absolute gentleman and a proud intelligent republican. He also had a great sense of humour always lifting his fellow activists with his natural way."

"Dessie was another one of our senior party members in South Donegal. He was a Painter and Decorator by trade. Dessie was a "can do" party activist, always inspiring those around him with his enthusiasm and appetite for hard work. It is no surprise that Dessie and PJ died while on party business together, having attended a local event together the night prior to the tragedy and on their way to hand out leaflets at the time of the tragedy. Dessie was really looking forward to PJ's election campaign next year for both Ballyshannon Town Council and Donegal County Council and was a key member of our campaign team".

"Their contribution to all has been immense and their loss immeasurable. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam uasal".

ENDS