Colm Donlon: Colm Donlon, who has died aged 58, was for 18 years press and public relations manager of the Industrial Development Authority. He was responsible for the IDA's media presence both at home and abroad and, as such, played a pivotal role in highlighting the advantages of the Republic as an investment location, both before and during the Celtic Tiger years.
Seán Dorgan, chief executive officer of the IDA, said in tribute: "In addition to his exceptional media relationships, his work internally helped us greatly. He had a positive and optimistic outlook, but never a false one."
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, described him as "a genial man who was utterly professional in everything he did," adding that his skill and expertise were a "magnificent asset" to the IDA and to Ireland. His work for the IDA entailed working closely with government ministers of all parties, and he carried out his duties with scrupulous impartiality. And he was known for his good humour, courtesy and efficiency in his dealings with the news media.
Born in Drogheda, Co Louth, on January 17th, 1946, he was one of the 13 children of Tomás Ó Domhnalláin, a teacher and subsequently a schools inspector, and his wife, Margaret (née O'Brien).
Several family members, following their father's example, made careers in the public service and in the field of education; his brother, Seán, for example, served as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish ambassador to the United States, while his sister, Áine (Hyland) is Professor of Education at University College Cork.
Colm was educated locally and at St Finian's College, Mullingar. From there he went to All Hallows' College, Dublin, to study for the priesthood. Deciding that the religious life was not for him, he moved to London where he became a student at Strawberry Hill College and qualified as a woodwork and metalwork teacher. Teaching at Cardinal Newman Middle School, he developed an interest in youth work.
Returning to Ireland, he worked with the Catholic Youth Council (now Catholic Youth Care) for most of the 1970s and was one of the first youth work development officers in the country. When the organisation outgrew its original premises, he supervised the transfer of CYC from Westland Row to its present headquarters on Arran Quay.
Under the guidance of the CYC director, Mgr John Fitzpatrick, he took over the monthly magazine Youthopia, working for some years with the broadcaster Joe Duffy. A former co-worker at the CYC recalled an "inspirational" colleague, whose enthusiasm motivated many volunteers to work unstintingly for the benefit of the young people of Dublin.
Having gained experience of public relations work at the CYC, in 1980 he joined the IDA as a press officer. Appointed section manager of the small industries department in 1985, a year later he was made responsible for all IDA press and public relations.
He never lost his zest for the job. Following the economic slowdown of recent years, he was happy to relay the news of increasing buoyancy in foreign direct investment.
He was particularly keen to promote Ireland as a knowledge economy, which is now the IDA's key message to the world.
"A walking database" was one affectionate description of him, recognition that facts and figures were his life-blood. Modesty was another characteristic. Pleased by a recent newspaper editorial in relation to IDA business he was centrally involved in, he circulated it to all IDA staff under the heading "Take a bow!"
His interests outside work lay mainly in DIY. A skilled woodworker, he carried out home renovations on his own behalf and for family members. His most recent project was to add a conservatory to his family home.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, and daughter, June; also his father, Tomás, brothers, Seán, Liam, and Uinseann, and sisters, Maura (Sister Ríonach IBVM), Áine, Eithne, Mairéad, Maeve, Deirdre and Ríonach.
Colm Donlon: born January 17th, 1946; died July 2nd, 2004