Leading fishing industry figure Joey Murrin (81) dies

Tributes have been paid to leading fishing industry representative Joey Murrin (81), who died in Donegal on Sunday morning after a short illness.

Mr Murrin began his career at sea as a deckhand and came to national prominence amid the industry’s fears about the impact of Ireland’s accession to the European Union (EU) on the marine resource.

He served as chair of the Irish Fishermen’s Organisation, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation for 22 years and chair of the National Salmon Commission. He was chairman of Bord Iascaigh Mhara from 1986 and was latterly a board member of the Marine Institute.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed described Mr Murrin as the iconic leader of the Irish fishing industry for over three decades.

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"Joey's very warm and distinctive voice on Irish radio, arguing the fishermen's cause, became part of the soundtrack of people's lives over many years and raised the profile of his industry inestimably."
"Joey helped to steer and develop the Irish Fishing Industry in the early years of EU membership and played no small part in ensuring the development of the modern fishing industry."

Leas Cheann Comhairle and Donegal TD Pat “The Cope” Gallagher (FF) said he played a central role in development and expansion of the marine sector and was a “consummate professional” who had worked with 15 different Government ministers and “always had his finger on the pulse”.

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Garret FitzGerald asked him to stand for the party in the 1984 European elections in Connacht-Ulster. Though unsuccessful, he made serious inroads into a traditional Fianna Fáil fishermen’s vote, and it left him free to continue his criticism of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.

He maintained his interest in and passion for the sector after retirement, and recently criticised Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his own organisation, the KFO, over the handling of Brexit negotiations in relation to fishing.

Mr Murrin is survived by his wife Betty and five children. His funeral will take place on Tuesday in Killybegs.