Shock Over Sudden Death of Former T.D. Godfrey Timmins

County Wicklow was reeling today from the sudden death last night of former Fine Gael T.D. Godfrey Timmins which occurred shortly after he attended a G.A.A. match in Dunlavin. The late Mr. Timmins, who was a native of Baltinglass, is father of current Fine Gael Deputy for the county, Billy Timmins.

Godfrey was a public representative for Co. Wicklow for a period of fifty years during which

Godfrey Timmins Second Row First On Left 1998

time he served in Dail Eireann until his retirement before the last general election. While never holding high public office, the quiet spoken politician served on the Committee of Privileges and Procedures from 1972 to 1987 and was also Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

One of life's gentlemen, the late Godfrey was a unique politician in that he always wanted to avoid the glare of publicity, opting instead to do the work quietly on the ground for his constituents. He seldom entered into controversy except in cases where the good of Co. Wicklow was at stake .

Outside his family life and politics, Godfrey's great passion was the G.A.A. He played

Godfrey Timmins

football with Baltinglass in his early years and was a great administrator in the club. He played a huge role behind the scenes in the success of Baltinglass when they won the All-Ireland club championship.

Tributes have been pouring in all day from many people in the county and it was significant that they came from every section of the political arena for a man who never let politics get in the way of progress for the county.