Tributes paid to committed campaigner

Tributes paid to committed campaigner

20 July 2016

GLOWING tributes have been paid to Castlewellan man John Duggan who passed away last week.

An SDLP stalwart, Mr Duggan played a leading role over many years in the Downe Hospital campaign and served as one of the Down Community Health Committee’s vice-chairmen, playing a key part in helping deliver Downpatrick’s new £65m facility.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Duggan by SDLP councillor Laura Devlin, Down Community Health Committee chairman Eamonn McGrady and his predecessor, Cecil Maxwell.

Mr Duggan was the chairman of the Castlewellan and Kilcoo SDLP branch for many years and was a man engrossed in community politics, always working tirelessly to help others.

Councillor Devlin recalled that it was Mr Duggan who “hoodwinked” her into becoming the SDLP’s branch secretary and how he was able to get people to do things that needed to be done.

“John was not only our branch chairman, but a great friend and an excellent sounding board. As recently as a few months ago, despite his illness, I was still able to turn to him for advice and he was always welcoming and available,” she continued.

“People talk about community workers and community activists, but John is the ultimate example.  He adored Castlewellan and did everything in his power to improve the lives of everyone who lived there. I remember when I made the decision to stand for the local council that John was one of the few people I turned to and was delighted to have his full backing.”

Councillor Devlin added: “John will be mourned by the community. He will be deeply missed by many like me who regularly depended on his wisdom. My thoughts continue to be with his wife Kathleen and his wide family circle.”

Mr McGrady said Mr Duggan will be fondly remembered for the work he did over a long number of years in defence of local health services in general and the Downe Hospital in particular.

“John was a very highly regarded individual and someone who was a calming influence at times and someone who made a major contribution. He played a key role at a key point in time for the  development of our new hospital. We are all sorry to learn of his passing and extend our sympathy to his wife and family,” he continued.

Mr McGrady added: “We are privileged to have had John as one of our campaigners and recognise the key role he played during the campaign. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Mr Maxwell also paid tribute to Mr Duggan’s “tireless work” over many years in support of the Downpatrick hospital.

“John Duggan was at the forefront of the hospital campaign for many years. He was someone I worked very closely with when I was the health group’s chairman and John’s support for me was very much appreciated,” he said.

“I am so sorry to learn that he is no longer with us and my thoughts are with his family at this sad time. He was a man for whom I had the utmost respect and his contribution to the campaign was immeasurable. Alongside Jimmy Blackwood and the late Commander Bill Martin, John rarely missed a committee meeting and when things needed to be done he was always the first to offer to help.

“He organised a rally in support of the Downe in Castlewellan and the fact we now have a new modern hospital is due in no small measure to his efforts over many years. John will be sadly missed but those of us closely associated with the hospital campaign will never forget the contribution he made,” added Mr Maxwell.

Mr Duggan, who passed away at the Downe Hospital on July 14, was buried at the family burial ground at Aughlisnafin following a service of Requiem Mass held at St Malachy’s Church in Castlewellan last Saturday.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Kate, Colette, Bernie, Anne and Josie, sons Frank and John, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a wide family circle.