Don O’ Leary, community activist and fearless fighter for accessible and second chance education for young people, passed away today Friday 3rd October aged 68.

Don was the recipient of the 2022 Spirit of Mother Jones Award at an emotional ceremony on the 30th July 2022 in Shandon for his work with the Cork Life Centre. He was the first Cork man to receive this award for his tireless efforts and personal commitment to giving young people a second chance to acquire an education.

Don O’Leary was thrilled to receive the 2022 Spirit of Mother Jones Award in recognition for his efforts to provide education for the youth of Cork. He was proud to receive the award as it was bestowed by the ordinary people of Cork. Among his other heroes were trade union leader, Mick Lynch and US Senator, Bernie Sanders, both of whom he met in Shandon during their visits to the community to honour Mother Jones.

The award citation presented to Mr. O’Leary contained the following:

“For his courage and determination to ensure that children and young people are not left behind by the Irish education system”

“For his advocacy of human rights and social justice especially in relation to the rights of children and their opportunities to progress to the best of their creative abilities and individual talents which contribute so much to a better community and world”.

James Nolan on behalf of the Cork Mother Jones Committee stated…….

“Don O’ Leary advocated tirelessly for giving young people a second chance in the education system which echoed the central belief of  one of his heroes Mother Jones who also fought for the rights of young people to receive an education. We wish to express our sincere sympathy to the O’ Leary family on the passing of Don.”

May Don O’Leary rest in peace.