Haringey Council has issued a statement announcing the death of Woodside Ward Councillor and former Council Leader George Meehan. We pass on our sympathy to Cllr Meehan's family and loved ones.

HARINGEY COUNCIL STATEMENT:
It is with regret that we announce that Former Haringey Council Leader Cllr George Meehan, who served the people of Haringey for more than 40 years, has today passed away aged 72 following a short illness.

Cllr Meehan was first elected as a Labour Party ward councillor in 1971, initially serving until 1986. He was re-elected as a Woodside ward councillor in 1990, where he continued to serve as a councillor until his death today.

Cllr Meehan had lived in Haringey with his wife Mary since moving to London from County Donegal, Ireland in 1963.

He served three separate periods as Leader of the Council, from 1983 to 1985; 1999 to 2004 and from 2006 until 2008. Cllr Meehan was also Deputy Leader of the Council in 1978-79 and 1996-99, and served as a school governor in a number of local schools.

Cllr Meehan believed passionately in delivering quality public services and in involving local people in the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

He was also a strong advocate of the power of education in helping young people to fulfil their potential. It was this commitment to education that saw the state-of-the-art new community school Heartlands High open during Cllr Meehan’s leadership, alongside countless improvements to the borough’s existing secondary schools thanks to his determination to bring significant Building Schools for the Future funding to Haringey.

Cllr Meehan spoke of the honour of being able to serve the local community, both in Woodside and elsewhere in Haringey. He championed the borough’s Irish community and talked often of the pride he felt in Haringey’s rich cultural diversity.

Haringey Council Leader Cllr Claire Kober said:

“George was a formidable character who made a lasting impression on all he met.

“Never afraid to speak his mind, to challenge social injustice where he found it and to champion the needs and the rights of Haringey’s communities, George was a man of firm principle and unflinching devotion to public service.

“As leader, his achievements in improving schools in Haringey and driving forward the local BSF programme undoubtedly laid the foundations for the exceptional education that Haringey’s students enjoy today.

“Our thoughts are with Mary, her and George’s children Martin and Michael and all his friends and family at this very difficult time.”

As a mark of respect to Cllr Meehan, a flag will be lowered to half mast at Haringey’s Civic Centre on Wood Green High Road from tomorrow.

Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.