Ukrainian Ambassador leads tributes to Jim Finucane – ‘We will always remember his humanity’

The shock news of his passing has led to a surge in tributes as people from all walks of life remember his kind and engaging personality and his ceaseless focus on community enhancement.

While his accomplishments in politics are many, Mr Finucane’s final accolade was recognition for helping Kerry’s war-ravaged Ukrainian community to integrate following displacement from their country due to Russia’s invasion.

He was awarded Honorary Consul of Ukraine by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Gerasko Larysa in October 2025, who said the Embassy of Ukraine to Ireland is deeply saddened by his passing.

“This is a great loss both for Ukraine and for Ireland. Mr Finucane was a true friend of Ukraine who dedicated himself to strengthening Ukrainian–Irish relations, supporting Ukrainian citizens, and building enduring bridges of friendship between our nations,” Ms Larysa told The Kerryman.

“We will always remember his humanity, sincerity, and openness to helping Ukrainians in Ireland. His genuine compassion and unwavering support offered strength and hope to many during challenging times.

“His legacy of kindness, commitment, and friendship will remain in our hearts and in the shared history of Ukraine and Ireland.”

Ms Larysa concluded by saying the Embassy of Ukraine extends its deepest condolences to Mr Finucane’s family, friends, and colleagues.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, said Mr Finucane was both a friend and an ‘incredible’ colleague.

“He was a man who devoted so much of his life to the Kingdom, to our Fine Gael party, and to everybody who served on the council,” said the Tánaiste.

“I often think that he was the best Oireachtas member we didn’t have…he was somebody who was passionate about social justice and didn’t take no for an answer. If he believed in a cause he would keep at it and wouldn’t give up,” he added.

As a mark of respect to the former Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and Mayor of Tralee, Wednesday’s meeting of Tralee MD was postponed.

The council chamber is a domain where Mr Finucane excelled – a place he is fondly remembered by political colleagues on all sides of the divide – past and present.

Mr Finucane is an uncle to Fianna Fáil Councillor Mikey Sheehy who shared his personal tribute.

“Jim wasn’t just my uncle — he was a friend and a mentor. I had the privilege of sitting alongside him on Kerry County Council, and I saw firsthand the respect he commanded right across the chamber,” Cllr Sheehy said.

“He gave decades of service to the people of Tralee and to the county as a whole, always guided by a deep sense of fairness and community.”

Cllr Sheehy extended his sympathies to his aunt, Shiela, and cousins James, Jill and Orla.

“My thoughts are very much with them. Jim was, above all else, a family man, devoted to Sheila and so proud of his children. He balanced his commitment to public life with a love for home and community that shone through in everything he did.”

Cllr Sheehy said Jim was a steady, reassuring presence in both family and political life and someone who gave great advice, but always with a quiet word and a unique and quick sense of humour.

“He was always guided by what was right. Jim leaves behind a great legacy, not just in the work he did for Tralee and Kerry, but in the example he set for those of us lucky enough to know him well,” Cllr Sheehy concluded.

Fianna Fáil Minister for Children Norma said Jim Finucane had an extraordinary capacity to make friends and keep friends throughout his life.

“It was my great blessing to count Jim as a friend,” she said.

“The essence of Jim’s life was one of service. Service to others and service for others. To my mind, he always represented the very best in Irish politics, largely because it was never about politics for Jim. It was always about doing the right thing for the right reasons for the greater good,” Minister Foley added.

Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Ferris said Mr Finucane’s years of experience and knowledge from representing the people of Kerry was shared generously with all who needed it.

“He never saw the party politics, just the person. Thinking of his family today,” she said.

Independent Councillor Charlie Farrelly said Mr Finucane offered him great guidance when he was first elected to Kerry County Council.

“He was, without question, one of life’s great gentlemen,” he said.

Kerry Education and Training Board outlined its profound sadness on learning of the passing of its former Chairperson.

In a statement, Kerry ETB’s Ann O’Dwyer, Chief Executive of Kerry ETB, said Jim was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for the people of Kerry throughout his life.

“As Chairperson of Kerry ETB, he provided strong leadership and vision, guiding the organisation through a period of significant growth and innovation. His commitment to improving education, training, and opportunities for learners across the county has left a lasting legacy,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

“His leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to education, training, equality, inclusion and community development made a profound impact on our organisation and the people of Kerry.

“On behalf of the Board, management, and staff of Kerry ETB, we extend our sincere condolences to Jim’s wife, Sheila, and his children James, Jill and Orla, family and friends at this very sad time,” Ms O’Dwyer added.

The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Fine Gael Councillor Mike Foley, described Mr Finucane as dear friend and colleague.

“Jim will be remembered for his dedication, passion, and kindness. May his family find comfort in the memories they shared and the legacy he leaves behind. A true gentleman, he will be sadly missed,” he said.

The Mayor of Tralee, Labour Councillor Terry O’Brien, said Jim was a man of integrity, honesty and ‘a pure gentleman’ and a ‘true leader’ in the Council Chamber.

“The members of the Tralee MD are heartbroken and the loss of a man who always had Tralee and the community at the heart of everything he did. He was held in the highest regard by those that served with him as well as the staff and members of the executive he worked with,” Cllr O’Brien said.

Miriam Fitzgerald of the Kerry Women’s Shed in Tralee spoke of Mr Finucane’s constant support in ensuring their shed became a reality. She said he always had time to listen and was a champion of women’s issues.

“We can’t believe he has passed away. Since we started our women’s group seven years ago he was so supportive. He is such a loss to his family and the town of Tralee,” Marian said.

“He was especially supportive of women. Even his presence was enough to know that his influence was around. He was at the recent relaunch of our shed. He was so supportive of Tralee Women’s Centre and Kerry Women’s Shed. Even talking to Jim was enough to encourage and support you,” she added.

A statement from Tralee Chamber Alliance said Jim was a man whose leadership, generosity, and compassion helped shape the Tralee and Kerry we know today.

“He devoted his life to public service, giving 29 years as an elected representative. His dedication to the people of Kerry was unwavering, and his contribution to local and national projects over the years was immense.”

Kerry photographer Domnick Walsh described Mr Finucane as ‘a true friend’ over many years.

“He opened many doors for me simply by introducing me to people who did not yet know me or my work. Jim always had a kind word to say, and his belief in others was sincere and uplifting,” said Domnick.

A statement from Moyderwell Mercy Primary School said Mr Finucane is a man whose contribution to its school community cannot be measured in words alone and that he stood for everything the school aspires to in terms of ‘honesty, integrity, good grace, and humility’.

“During his many years of service to the Board of Management, Jim’s vision and determination was instrumental in guiding the school through some of its most transformative changes,” said Principal Pat Neenan.

“Beyond the bricks, mortar, and policies, it is Jim’s spirit that will be most deeply missed. His calm wisdom, his gentle humour, and his quiet but firm guidance enriched every meeting, every conversation, every encounter. Nobody left Jim’s company without feeling better for it, more grounded, more hopeful, and more inspired to do good.”

Born and educated in Tarbert in north Kerry, Mr Finucane returned to Kerry after his studies in the early 1980s having trained as a draughtsman in Dublin when leaving school in 1975. He first ran for Tralee Town Council in 1986 when elected for Fine Gael.

He gave 29 years service as an elected representative prior to his retirement from official politics in 2023. He was instrumental in finalising numerous local projects in Tralee and Kerry over the years while serving as the Mayor of Kerry and the Mayor of Tralee.

Serving as Chairman of the Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB), he was instrumental in the organisation’s projects and outreach programmes. He was an advocate for the importance of apprenticeships and making education available to all.

In the early 2000s, Mr Finucane was among the first politicians to speak about the importance of re-branding Tralee and Kerry as a tourism offering.

Through the decades, Mr Finucane played a seismic role in the promotion of tourism in Tralee. Reaching out to Kerry’s diaspora overseas to include them in the progress of the county is a strategy he considered of paramount importance.

Through his work as an estate agent, Mr Finucane also played a key role in making housing available for disadvantaged groups in society.

Although he was personally delighted to receive the honour from the Ukrainian Ambassador, Mr Finucane was not one for basking in the limelight and was at his best when working for people behind the scenes and away from the media glare.

A Book of Condolences for Jim Finucane is available at Kerry ETB Head Office reception, Centrepoint, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee, Co. (V92 P2FE).