Former Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Billy Kyne has died.
The Labour Party representative gave 35 years of public service having been first elected in 1979, before standing down ahead of 2014 local elections.
Billy Kyne was first elected to Dungarvan Urban District Council in 1979, and was later co-opted to Waterford County Council in 1981. He successfully retained his seat on both local authorities at every election up until his retirement.
Cllr. Kyne held the position of Mayor on both Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council, on numerous occasions during his political career, having served as Mayor of Waterford in 2012, with fellow Labour Councillor John Pratt serving as his deputy.
He is the son of the late Tom Kyne, who was a prominent Labour Party TD for Waterford for over 20 years.
Billy Kyne was renowned for service to the local community having been involved in a number of groups and clubs, and he was inducted into Dungarvan United AFC’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Tributes have been paid to Cllr. Kyne by his colleagues in the Labour Party, including Cllr. Ger Barron.
“Saddened to learn of the death of my friend and Labour colleague Billy Kyne, a true example of a public representative. He was my mentor in the Council, even though I didn’t always understand his advice because he had a long term vision of things, he was always right in the end, I will miss him as a friend. Rest in peace Billy.”
Cllr. Damien Geoghegan (Fine Gael) also served on both Councils with Cllr. Kyne for many years.
“Very sorry to hear of the passing earlier today of former Councillor Billy Kyne. Following in that great tradition of public service exemplified by his late father Tom, Billy gave exceptional service for over 30 years both as an Urban Councillor and a County Councillor, and was always a very solid presence in the Council chamber. Sincere condolences to all of Billy’s family, his many friends and of course his Labour Party colleagues.”
Billy Kyne is survived by his wife Kay, his children, grandchildren and extended family and friends, as well as his political colleagues.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.
