Tributes have been paid to a man long associated with Mayo Mental Health services and the Mental Health Association of Ireland - the late Patrick Joseph (PJ) Murphy of Ballyglass, Claremorris.
PJ was a psychiatric nurse at the former St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar, and subsequently in the community prior to his retirement.
He served as chairman of the Mayo Mental Health Association since 1970 and was a former chairman of the Mental Health Association of Ireland.
Paying tribute to him, Niall Dunne, manager, Mayo Mental Health Association, says “it’s hard to do justice to PJ’s contribution to spreading the gospel of good mental health to the community, both as a community psychiatric nurse and as a director of Mayo Mental Health Association.
He was one of the first nurses in Mayo, together with his late colleague and Mayo Man of The Year Jim Brett, to go and work in the community, which was ground-breaking at the time and showed the true vision he had for the future shape of the Community Mental Health Services.
He also served on the board of directors of Mental Health Ireland, the national governing body.
One of his final achievements was his contribution to the establishment of the Mayo Mental Health Association's Information Centre in Castlebar in 2009.
A minute silence was observed yesterday morning by Mayo Mental Health Association , Parke GAA Club, Turlough Park House and Mayo Athletic Club representatives in memory of PJ at the Turlough 8K event, an event PJ looked forward to annually.
His remains will repose in the Ballyglass Community Centre tomorrow (Tuesday) from 5pm until 7pm.
He will be laid to rest on Wednesday after 11 am funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Carnacon in Burriscarra Cemetery.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
