Tributes pour in as Cllr Willie Crowley passes away

Tributes are tonight being paid to Cllr Willie Crowley following his tragic death.

The Independent councillor was knocked down in a hit and run incident in Newbridge on Tuesday evening and was taken to Naas General Hospital but he was pronounced dead earlier today.

A 28-year-old Polish man was charged in connection to the incident after he was arrested at a house in Newbridge on Wednesday evening.

Tributes have been paid by fellow councillors and the wider public this evening.

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Cllr Sorcha O'Neill of Sinn Fein said: "Awful news about the passing of Cllr Willie Crowley. He was a gentleman, a good soul that was taken too soon. Our thoughts are with his family."

Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy added:"It is with deep regret I have learned of the passing of Willie Crowley. It is truly hard to believe ..."

Former councillor Micheal Spike Nolan said: "Even though we had our differences, it is a sad day for Newbridge. My thoughts are with the Crowley family."

Kildare Co Council's Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said: "The late Councillor Willie Crowley. A loss to Newbridge and the wider community. He was a lovely lovely man. R.I.P."

Cllr Brendan Young tweeted: "Sympathy and condolences to Clare Crowley, partner of KCC Cllr Willie Crowley, and to his family and friends."

Cllr Joe Neville said: "Very sad to hear our colleague Cllr Willie Crowley passed away due to injuries sustained from the hit & run. So tragic & unnecessary. RIP."

Members of the public in Newbridge also expressed shock at the death of the political campaigner.

Newbridge town resident Seamus Murray said on Twitter: "A very sad day for our town Newbridge. A true gentleman RIP Cllr Willie Crowley."

Another friend of the late politician Sinead McKenna: "So sad to hear of the death of Willie Crowley, a gentleman who had such pride in his hometown. His presence will be missed in Newbridge."