Former Limerick Leader man Martin Naughton remembered as a 'true gent'

"A TRUE GENT. Always happy to help and always with a smile and a kind word."

The words of managing editor of the Limerick Leader, Áine Fitzgerald following the sad passing of a stalwart of this newspaper, Martin Naughton.

The Lisnagry man spent more than 40 years in the Limerick Leader, as a typesetter before retiring in 2007.

Up until only two months ago, he continued to play a huge role in the newspaper as the local notes correspondent for Castleconnell village.

Tributes have been paid to a man who was known for always having a kind word to say to people.

A social animal, Martin would enjoy a tipple of whisky.

But, as long-term friend, a former Leader advertising manager Fergal Deegan said, he was very discerning.

“Black-and-white whiskey was all he drank. At any event, we’d have to organise it! I’d have to call in advance and find out if they stocked it. No matter what hour of the day or night, you wouldn’t have been able to fool him by giving him a different Scotch. He knew straight off,” Fergal laughed.

Martin loved cycling - and continued to be out in the saddle up until late in his life.

Pictured above: Martin Naughton, second from left, continued to cycle in later life. He is photographed with former Limerick Leader advertising manager Fergal Deegan, former Limerick Leader managing director Joe Gleeson and Finan Harrold, taking part in the Limerick to Kilkee cycle for the Cliona's Foundation in 2022 (Picture: Brendan Gleeson)

“He was cycling on his bike to Kilkee up to two years ago on our annual cycle. Himself and Joe Gleeson [former Limerick Leader managing director] were like the two grand-daddies,” Fergal joked.

A staunch Shannon RFC supporter, hailing originally from the parish, Martin fought against all the odds in his final weeks.
Fergal explained: “Nearly four weeks ago, I went out to say my goodbyes to him. He was supposed to be nearly at the end. He was sat at home drinking his black-and-white watching the Munster Rugby semi-final with his son Cliff and his grandson.

“He was amazing the last number of weeks. He fought all the odds. His family had a good three-and-a-half to four extra weeks with him,” Fergal concluded.

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Ms Fitzgerald wrote: “I will always remember, as a young reporter in the Limerick Leader, being greeted with the smiling face of Martin whenever I went downstairs to the newspaper layout department.”

Her predecessor in the editor’s chair Eugene Phelan added: “He was always in good humour, and it was a pleasure to chat with him, go for a pint, play golf, or whatever else we used to get up to in those happy days in the 70s, 80s and 90s.”

Another former colleague, Norma Prendiville said: “He was always good humoured, and helpful under pressure.”
Martin was laid to rest this Wednesday.

He is survived by son Cliff, daughter-in-law Liz, grandson Alex, siblings Celine, Tommy, Marie and Rose, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May he rest in peace.