By Laura Glenn

laura@inishtimes.com

 

Buncrana and Inishowen has lost “a true gentleman”.

This was the overriding sentiment in the plethora of tributes paid to Buncrana councillor Philip Diggin.

The 51-year-old passed away in the early hours of Friday morning.

Councillor Diggin was married to Paola and was father to two sons, Carlo and Matthew.

The former Crana College teacher was one of the town’s most popular and involved residents.

He served on a number of committees including the Donegal Vocational Education Committee (VEC), The Harbour Committee, The Tidy Town Initiative Committee and The Maginn Park Committee.

The former chairman of Buncrana Town Council was first elected in 1999.

The people of the town thanked him for his dedication when he topped the poll in the 2004 local elections.

His enduring popularity saw him elected on the first count.

He topped the poll gaining 446 first preference votes. The quota was 273.

Councillor Diggin was the driving force behind a number of developments in the town including the Festival Park on the shorefront.

Councillor Daren Lalor said knowing him was a “privilege”.

He said: “I would like to send my deepest condolences to Philip’s family.

“I only had the privilege of knowing Philip since 2004, but through my time spent sitting alongside him within the town council chamber, I found him to be very genuine and considerate.

“Not only will he be a huge loss to his family but also to the people of Buncrana whom he represented so well.

“For me, he was a true gentleman.”

His sentiments were echoed by Councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn.

He said: “Philip was an absolute gentleman and a thoroughly decent person.

“He had a deep sense of civic commitment demonstrated by his involvement in education, politics and community development.

“He will be sorely missed by his beloved wife, his two fine sons, and the people of Buncrana and Inishowen.”

Councillor Rose Cullen also paid tribute to “a gentleman”.

She said: “It is very hard to put into words the feelings I have on the death of Councillor Philip Diggin, knowing him as a friend, teacher of my children and a colleague in the council.

“Philip was a gentleman, easy to talk to and a great listener. He was totally committed to his work as a councillor. He will be sadly missed by so many here in our community.

“My deepest sympathy is with the family circle at this sad time.”

County councillor Bernard McGuinness also paid tribute.

He said: “My thoughts, first and foremost, are with Philip’s family. This is a very sad death and a blow to local politics. He was a great councillor and communicator.

“I worked with him on the board of Carndonagh Community School and found him to be a very straight person.

“Although, we were not in the same party, I had the utmost respect for him. He meant so well for everybody.”

Senator Cecilia Keaveney said she learned of his death “with great regret”.

She said: “Philip was a popular and very active member of the community of Buncrana and indeed Inishowen.

“His friendly nature endeared him to many through not only his political work but also through his work as a teacher and socially.

 “As chair of the board of management of Moville Community College, I pass on my sympathies and those of the board to Philip’s family. As a fellow board member he had made an important input to the new school.

“He will be very sadly and badly missed especially by his family but also all of us who knew him.”

Crana College students held Councillor Diggin in very high esteem.

Comments on popular website Rate My Teacher described him as “good craic” and “a brilliant teacher” who “treated all students equally”.

Councillor Rena Donaghy said his death has saddened “the entire peninsula”.

She said: “He was particularly well known and highly regarded for his dedication to his wife and their two boys, the community, to young people, football, education and politics.  

“Philip and I go back a long time. We were school

friends, in the same class in secondary school and then in Buncrana Town Council together.

 “We were also in a number of committees together as well. One that he had a particular interest in was Buncrana Tidy Towns. Philip has given almost 20 years to public life on Buncrana Town Council.

“He always had enthusiasm, energy and a love for his work.

 “Philip was never a political person. He was very jovial and just worked away. He was looking forward to joining the Fianna Fáil party and he spoke to me on a few occasions about it.

 “Philip Diggin will be mourned and missed by very many people whose lives he touched in one way or another.

“My thoughts, sympathies and prayers go out, above all, to his wife Paola and their two boys and to his family and circle of friends on their tragic loss.”

Councillor Nicholas Crossan also paid tribute to his life-long friend.

He said: “I would like to extend my sympathy to Paola, Carlo, Matthew and the extended families.

“I have known Philip since childhood.  

“We played football together on the shore greens, went through school together and ended up in the council together.

“He was held in the greatest esteem which was borne out on Sunday by the huge attendance at his funeral mass.

“Members of the community groups and football clubs, fellow councillors, members of the Donegal County Council, VEC, Seanad Éireann and members of Dáil Éireann were all present.

“In the council chambers, whilst we did not always agree, we had good lively debate which stayed within the chambers and we still held our friendship outside.

“He will be solely missed by his family, Buncrana Council and by the people of Buncrana.”

Councillor Peter McLaughlin said the people of Buncrana had paid Councillor Diggin “the ultimate tribute” at his funeral mass.

He said: “He will be greatly missed by all of us. He was liked and respected by all of us.

“The people of Buncrana paid a great tribute to him on Sunday.

“There was a massive attendance at his funeral and that was the best tribute they could have given him.”

Councillor Dermot McLaughlin served on both the council and the VEC with Councillor Diggin.

He said: “Philip possessed great community spirit and was highly involved in everything he did.

“He showed great dedication and I had great pleasure travelling with him to meetings.

“He had tremendous interest in the wellbeing and education of young people. When I attended prize-giving days at Crana College, it was obvious just how popular he was.

“Philip also had a great interest and ability as a sportsperson.

“My deepest sympathy goes to his wife and family. “The high respect Philip was held in was very, very obvious from the attendance at his funeral and wake.

“It was a reflection of how highly Philip was thought of in the Buncrana community, the VEC, the council and the entire peninsula.

 “The only thing we can now try to do is move forward with all the objectives Philip had.

“I was honoured to be his colleague.”

Councillor Joe Doherty said Councillor Diggin was a very valued member of the council.

He said: “Personally, first and foremost, I extend my sympathy to Paola, Carlo and Matthew, Philip’s brother’s Stephen, Frank and Fr Fintan and his mother Annie.

“Philip was a long-serving member of Buncrana Town Council and was at all times a gentleman and a good working colleague on the council.

“He was very much involved in the whole debate of running the council. 

“He made a valuable contribution to discussions, resolutions and bringing forward ideas to promote and enhance Buncrana.

“He was very dedicated and all his colleagues held him in very high regard for that.

“On a personal note, Philip was also a neighbour of mine and a dear friend and he will be sadly missed.

“I have very fond memories of Philip, in particular a week myself and my wife spent in America with him and Paola. I saw another side of Philip there and I will treasure those memories.

“He was also a valued member of Buncrana Football Club and was held in very high regard there as a person who worked very hard to promote sport.

“He had a great personal interest in soccer, promoting sport and recreation for young people in Buncrana and the entire Inishowen peninsula.”

Buncrana mayor Paul Bradley said Councillor Diggin left a lasting legacy.

He said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to Philip’s wife Paulo and two sons, his brothers Frank, Fr Fintan, Stephen and his mother Annie.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of a fellow councilor and a lifelong friend.

“We went to the Boys’ National School in Buncrana together, then to Scoil Mhuire and University College Dublin where we both did a Bachelor of Commerce.

“We both left college at the same time and went back to Buncrana at the same time. I went into business and Philip went into teaching.

“Our lives have been inextricably linked. We were like railway tracks travelling alongside each other for 51 years.

“It is such a pity his life had to come to such a quick end. He had so much to offer life and the people of Buncrana.

“Philip’s own personality always shone through in the council chamber.

“He never wanted to be controversial or to make a decision to go against anyone. He always fought for a win-win situation.

“He had a great love for the local environment.

“Our town gardener George McDermott lived next to Philip for a time.

“Philip tortured the powers that be for a town gardener. Once he got an idea into his head he wouldn’t let go.

“Anyone who drives into Buncrana and sees the beautiful ‘Fáilte’ sign or the lovely floral displays – with all credit to George McDermott – well, remember it was Philip’s idea from day one.

“That would be a very fitting tribute.”