Well-known Limerick community activist passes away

WELL-KNOWN Limerick city community activist Noel 'Buster' Hannon has passed away.

Hailing from Hyde Road, but synonymous with Garryowen, he was a tireless worker for various community groups.

No more so than Geraldines AFC in Garryowen, where he was a member of the club's committee for many years.

"He did a lot for clubs that people did not know about. 'Buster' served on the committee with Geraldines, he managed underage teams with Geraldines, and he was also involved in looking after our pitches," said club secretary Turlough McNamara.

Mr Hannon ran his own All-Stars awards night, honouring stalwarts of the junior soccer game across Limerick.

Turlough recalled how he bestowed the honorary title of the Mayor of Garryowen upon his lifelong friend Mikey Ryan.

"Everyone is in shock. A young man in his prime taken," added McNamara of the late Noel Hannon, who passed away suddenly this Wednesday, December 21.

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"Over the last few days, he had been cooking hams, getting Christmas ready for the old folk," explained McNamara.
"We have lost a character, a gentleman, and a man who was there for all clubs. Some of the unhidden work he did we will never know about. He was well-known across the city. His loss will be felt hugely."

Senator Maria Byrne said he was a "great community activist", while Cllr Kieran O'Hanlon added: "He was a lovely man. Very committed to the people he worked with. His death comes as a shock to me."

Mr Hannon unsuccessfully sought election to public office in Limerick on three occasions, and all as an Independent candidate.

He ran in the old Limerick East constituency in the 1998 Dáil by-election brought about by the passing of Jim Kemmy.

He also put his name before the people in the local elections of 1999 and 2014.