MONAGHAN IN MOURNING AFTER PASSING OF TOM SWIFT

A wave of sadness swept through Monaghan Town on Bank Holiday Monday last when people learned of the passing of Tom Swift of 9 Plantation Terrace. Tom, who passed away peacefully at his home, was a beloved local personality well known and esteemed in a variety of circles. Tributes on social media from friends and acquaintances originate from across the wide range of interests and activities in which he engaged, but all have the common thread of affectionate remembrance of his amiability and gentlemanly qualities.

Tom was a well-known member of the road crew of legendary Castleblayney country singer Big Tom McBride and accompanied the singer on many tours nationally and overseas. His years on the road with the big man left him with an abiding interest in music and the showband scene, and he was fond of sharing many anecdotes from this period of his life. His passion for sport found its principal expression in soccer, horse-racing, boxing and snooker, and he was active in many local clubs and organisations in these and other sporting realms. In several he was honoured with the role of honorary manager, a position he regarded with the utmost respect and seriousness.

He was an ardent Manchester United supporter, a devotee of Busby and Ferguson, and could talk knowledgeably about flat and National Hunt racing and legendary figures of the turf such as the jockey Lester Pigott. But Tom’s greatest love was probably people – he relished good conversation, had a multitude of friends and was renowned for his quickwitted but always gentle sense of humour and his comprehensive recall of the characters and events of the town he was proud to call…