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We’ve lost a mighty man
• IT is with great regret that I learnt of the death of John Murphy (Murphy construction empire founder dies, May 8).
May I offer my deepest condolences to his wife and family
John was a man of very high intellect. He was able to recount the smallest of details of various jobs and people’s names.
I worked with J Murphy and Sons from the age of 16. No obstacle was put in your way if you wanted to get on.
His first thought on a new job was the canteen, where you would have the best breakfast it was possible to eat. John would always say: “A man with an empty stomach is no good.”
One morning I was in his yard in Kentish Town at 6.45am when he came in very “fast” and kind of surprised everybody. He said to me: “ ‘See see’ Knocknagoshel, what are you doing in here? You should be out on site.” To lighten up the atmosphere a little, I said: “Would I be entitled to overtime in the morning?” as I was paid from 8am to 5.30pm. He just said: “Get out of the yard to work.”
He always had the best of plant and equipment to get a job done and had a knack of picking men to be agents. They were invariably gifted with a high degree of animal cunning.
John was a mighty man. From humble beginnings to one of the biggest contractors in London and Britain. London is poorer for his demise.
To see Patsy Byrnes, the greyhound man from Duagh and himself an icon, present John Murphy with the Kerry Man of The Year award 2008 was an absolute delight. It was long overdue. He loved Kerry and was very proud of it.
Quite simply, when John was born they threw away the mould. May he rest in peace.
RICHARD WALSH
Rathdrum
Co Wicklow
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