Gerard Collins | Johnny Green/PA

A TOWERING figure of Limerick politics, Gerard Collins, is being remembered by his council colleagues as a “loyal, honest, hardworking and trustworthy politician”.

Elected representatives of the Municipal District of Newcastle West have expressed their deepest sympathies to the family of the well-respected Fianna Faíl politician who died at the weekend, following a short illness.

At their November meeting, members from the district council held a minute of silence for Gerry, who once served the area as a local public representative in the 1960s.

Gerard, (Gerry Collins), from Abbeyfeale, passed away on November 1 in Tralee Hospice at 88 years of age. His funeral Mass takes place this Tuesday morning.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Cllr John Sheahan said: “He stayed at politics till the very end. I saw him out for the last election putting up posters. He wore his illness with great dignity.”

He fondly remembered Gerry’s ability to rally people around a cause: “I remember him from when I was a young lad. He had a kind of magnetism amongst his followers – they would just gather around him. He had such a way with people and held such rapport with local forces. He ran the show.”

In addition to being elected as a TD for Limerick West, Gerry Collin’s gargantuan career saw him serve as Minister for Justice, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and as an MEP for the Munster constituency.

Gerard Collins was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for Limerick West in 1967, following in the footsteps of his father, James Collins, who was elected to the same role at the 1948 general election.

“He is part of a long Dáil lineage in his family. We express our sympathies to his nephew and our colleague TD Niall Collins,” said Cllr John Sheahan.

Cllr Michael Collins remembered Gerry fondly from his early days in politics. “When I was a small boy out canvassing I got to know him. People had a level of respect for him that wasn’t seen across the country, he was known far and wide. All you have to do is look at the condolences online to see that.”

Cllr Tom Ruddle of commended the work Gerry did for the constituency over the years. “I remember him out canvassing. He had such a brilliant mind for names. He knew everything and if he didn’t know something – he’d go find out.”

Cllr Francis Foley said the proud Fianna Fail man would “never forget a face” and treated his constituents with the upmost care and respect.

Gerard Collins’ funeral Mass will be celebrated 11am this Thursday at the Church of the Assumption in Abbeyfeale, followed by burial at Reilig Íde Naofa, Abbeyfeale.