I was so very sad to hear of the passing of Phil Leonard yesterday. I first got to know Noel properly at the time of the 1999 Local Elections and have been privileged to visit their home on numerous occasions over the years since.

Like their late neighbour Vincent Poleon, the fact the wheelchair couldn’t get into the house was never an obstacle as several fills of the teapot would be ferried to the garden. Phil also ensured that the trip home was never made without a bag of whatever fruit or vegetable happened to be in season at the time.

That would of course be in between answering numerous phone calls and dealing with correspondence while myself and the now retired Councillor righted the wrongs of the world out in the garden.

Once Noel retired from political life, officially at least, the common thing was to meet Phil at a racecourse somewhere around the country until ill health befell her in more recent years. Back a winner up there Phil and have the canvass cards at the ready. May you rest in peace.

To Noel, Donna, Barry, Sharon and Tara and all extended family and many friends, my deepest sympathy.