Tributes have been pouring following the death this week of the two-time Mayor of Galway City, John Mulholland, the much-loved businessman who turned the family’s betting shop into a hugely successful chain of bookmakers.

The current First Citizen, Cllr Clodagh Higgins, said her Fine Gael colleague was a friend and a mentor and a constant source of support right from her entry into public life.

Former Deputy Brian Walsh, equally, described a man who loved his home city – and Salthill in particular – and who worked all of his 24 years in political life for the greater good.

John Mulholland passed away yesterday morning at the Galway Clinic surrounded by his family – his wife Margaret and their children Alan, Lisa, Eddie and Aoife.

“His passing was very peaceful, for which we are all so grateful. But his death is a great loss to us all,” said Alan, the former Galway senior football manager.

John, who was in his mid-seventies, served as Mayor of Galway city from 1986 to 1987 and again from 1996 to 1997.

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