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By Sean Moriarty

Tributes have been paid to Pinewood man Dan McSweeney who died this week.

Dan was a popular member of staff at MD O’Shea and Sons Builder Merchants, an active member of Killarney and District Motor Club and an ardent Kerry GAA fan.

He worked in the tool department of the well-known hardware store on the Park Road and was well respected for his knowledge of power tools.

“He had a great technical knowledge, anything that had an engine or a motor, Dan had a great understanding,” said Paul O’Shea of the family firm. “We had great days working alongside him and he will missed greatly. He was best-known for working in the tool department but we could ask him to work in any section of the business and he was always willing to help.”

He was a long-time member of Killarney and District Motor Club and won the club’s ‘Person of the Year’ award in 2008. He also won the Rally of the Lakes Silver Wheel Award in 2014, a coveted award presented to people who go above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the county’s biggest motorsport event.

He was best known for marshalling on Moll’s Gap but held several other roles including radio operator and deputy stage commander on the famous stage. Outside of the rally he acted as clerk of the course for the club’s Autocross and Autotest events.

“Every event the club sent marshals to, you can be sure Dan was there,” said neighbour and fellow KDMC member Johnny Hickey. “He did it purely for the love of it and for the social side of it all.”

He was also a dedicated volunteer on big events like the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle and Darkness into Light charity walk.

Dan was a staunch GAA follower too and travelled the length of Ireland following the county team – even in the leaner years and to less-important league games in all corners of the country.

Reposing at O'Shea's Funeral Home, Cathedral Place, Killarney today (Friday) evening from 6pm to 8pm. Removal at 8pm to St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney. Requiem Mass takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at 12 noon, followed by cremation at the Island crematorium, Cork. No flowers by request, donations if desired to the Stephan Lyne Foundation.