Maurice O’Connell was at the helm for Euro launch

THE death has occurred of Maurice O’Connell, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland and a proud Kerryman, who is originally from Glin Road, Moyvane.

He passed away peacefully in the Mater Hospital in Dublin on Monday. He was 82.

The former St Michael’s College, Listowel and St Brendan’s College, Killarney student obtained a postgraduate degree on Ancient Classics and initially pursued a career in teaching, following in the footsteps of his parents Thomas and Mary.

He went on to become a very accomplished and respected authority on finance and corporate governance and prior to taking up his role with the Central Bank in 1994, he had a long and distinguished career in the Department of Finance which he joined in 1962.

Mr O’Connell was at the helm when the Euro was introduced to Ireland and his knowledge and leadership at that key time was greatly appreciated by the government and the European Union. Such was the high esteem in which he was held, when his term in office was due to expire in 2001, the government requested that he remain on to oversee the introduction of the new currency.

Mr O’Connell, who lived in Templeogue, Dublin, is survived by his wife Marjorie (nee Tracey), children Tom, Catherine, Martin and Marjorie. daughters-in-law Nicola and Norah, son-in-law Thomas and his grandchildren Rebecca, Darragh, Aoibheann, Alannah, Oran, Eleanor, Riain, Dominic and Luke.

He is further survived by his sisters Bess (McCarthy) and Dymphna, brother-in-law Louis, extended family, relatives and wide circle of friends.

Removal will take place to St Pius X Church, College Drive, Terenure, Dublin 6W, this Thursday at 5.30pm. Following Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Friday, burial will take place in Mount Venus Cemetery, Edmondstown.