Former Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and long-serving Fine Gael councillor Jim Finucane has passed away at the age of 68.

Mr Finucane dedicated almost three decades to public service, serving a total of 29 years as an elected representative on Tralee Town Council and Kerry County Council.

During that time, he served as both Mayor of Tralee and Mayor of Kerry. Mr Finucane was chairman of Kerry ETB; he was instrumental in the growth and success of Kerry College, ensuring education was accessible to everybody regardless of age and background.

He was first elected to Tralee Town Council in 1986 as the only Fine Gael councillor.

The former Mayor was heavily involved in Kerry’s response to welcoming Ukrainian families and recently earned the honour of becoming Ireland’s first Honorary Consul of Ukraine for the South-West.

Tánaiste Simon Harris, who worked with Mr Finucane when he was chair of Kerry ETB, paid tribute to his late colleague describing him as a “deeply proud Kerry man” who “left Kerry better than he found it.”

Mr Harris said those who had the privilege to know Jim will remember a man of warmth, humour and enthusiasm.

Tralee Chamber Alliance also paid tribute to Jim’s leadership, generosity and compassion which they said, “helped shape the Tralee and Kerry that we know today.” He is survived by his wife Sheila, children and grandchildren.

Mayor of Tralee Cllr Terry O’Brien said Tralee MD members are heartbroken at the loss of a man who always had Tralee and the community at the heart of everything he did.