Veronica Sharkey R.I.P.
I was truly saddened and distressed to learn of the sudden death of my good friend Veronica. We’ve known each other for more than thirty years. Co. Cavan has lost one of its most distinguished voices, and Mullahoran a true daughter.
I first came to know Veronica through my naive involvement in politics during my youth, when we both belonged to the same political party. She belonged to those whose political involvement was based on principle, and while I have long turned my back on those principles I respect those whose involvement is characterised by probity and decency. She was moved by the collective principles of sinn fein, while many of those who have recently joined that particular party are motivated solely by the principles of me fein.
Veronica was a lady of acerbic wit. I remember attending a meeting where she denounced participants in a meeting organised by the Fine Gael political party as ”a crowd of farmers up from the arse-hole of Leitrim.” Somebody at the meeting queried whether this was the Irish name for some locality.
Veronica was also someone who hated humbug and hypocrisy. I remember how, following the election of hunger-striker Kieran Doherty on a H-Block ticket in 1981, an advertisement appeared in the local rag stating that “Deputy” Doherty was, in the circumstances, unable to play as large a role in local politics as he might wish, but that if any of his constituents had any problems with which they needed help they should contact a telephone-number which was provided. It is very doubtful if poor Kieran Doherty knew any of this, and he was certainly in no condition to help anyone. The given telephone number was not that of the Maze Prison but one which Veronica recognised as that of a Cavan-town hostelry frequented by H-Block activists. She decided to ring it, adopting the persona of a “Mary Brady from Cornafean” who was having problems getting a ”White” card for payment for medicines and other health board -supplied services. Veronica immediately recognised the man who answered the ’phone as belonging to a notorious drunk of Cavan town, who was easily taken in by Veronica’s subterfuge. However he could do no more than offer sympathy and platitudes to “Mary Brady’s” problems, prompting the frustrated Veronica to finally come out of character saying: “D’ya know what you can do Frank? Ya can shit on it”" whereupon she slammed the ‘phone down.
Veronica was a member of both Cavan’s Town and County Councils. I remember her joy on election to the latter, though it may have been the beginning of a host of problems, for she unseated fellow party member, ”Pro-Life” activist and flat-earther Mary Lucy who responded to her loss by flying out of the count-centre on her broomstick laying a curse on Veronica, or so the latter believed. Certainly Veronica suffered from a litany of illnesses. not to mention crushing personal tragedies, all of which she bore with strength.
It is perhaps ironic that Veronica departed this vale of tears on May 13th, while my dear sister died on May 12th. I am certain that two good friends are at this moment having a laugh and a good natter up above.
Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris go tdeo.
