Sean Dublin Bay Loftus aged 82, passed away on Saturday (June 10), only weeks after hearing an oil refinery he campaigned against would not be built.

The plans would have seen about 52 acres of Dublin Bay filled in prompting the then Sean Loftus to rename himself to draw publicity to the plans in the 1970s.

The plans were finally thrown out by planning authorities last month and Mr Dublin Bay Loftus’ friend and Irish environmental minister John Gormley spoke of the pair’s last meeting.

Mr Gormley said: “I have known Sean for a very long time and we worked together on Dublin City Council.

“Sean was a gentleman, always kindly and encouraging and a true environmental pioneer. He led the way even before the Green Party came into existence.

“Sean never wavered in his pursuit of the highest environmental ideals. He was a man of deep principle and conviction and he will be sadly missed by all those who care passionately about the environment.

“When I spoke to Sean a number of weeks ago in hospital he said how pleased he was about my department’s recent work to protect Dublin Bay and how delighted he was about the recent An Bord Pleanála decision to reject plans for an infill of part of the bay.

“He was fighting the good fight right up to the time of his death. I will always remember the encouraging notes he wrote to me in recent years when I became minister for the environment.

“And on a personal level I will miss his encouragement. To his wife Una, his family and his close friends I convey my deepest sympathy on behalf of the Green Party. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.”

Luke Walsh

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