On the 25th of July 2008 the death occurred of the former mayor of Kilkenny city and one of the most well liked and hard working politicians in the City and County, Cllr. Joe Cody following a long illness.

Cllr. Joe Cody was first selected to Kilkenny Borough Council in 1974 at the age of 21. He lost his seat in 1979 and after taking a break from politics was re-elected again to Kilkenny Borough Council in 1994. In 1997 he was co-opted onto Kilkenny County Council to fill the vacancy left by Seamus Pattison T.D., on his becoming Ceann Comhairle.

Joe held his seat on Kilkenny Borough Council and Kilkenny County Council in two subsequent local elections until ill health forced his retirement from Kilkenny County Council in 2006. His commitment to the people of Kilkenny can be shown by the fact that despite his worsening health problems he kept working for the people of Kilkenny as a Borough Councillor until his resignation in April 2008 a few short months before his death.

During his term on Kilkenny County Council he was twice Leas Cathaoirleach of the Council. However, his greatest honour in local politics was in 2001 when he was elected Mayor of Kilkenny, a post which he held with great distinction.

Joe Cody was highly regarded by his fellow party colleagues and by members from all sides, both at Borough and County Council level. He also was held in extremely high esteem by the management and staff of the two Authorities. All who spoke at the time of Joe's untimely death spoke of Joe's commitment to the issues close to his heart and his tireless work on behalf of the community at large and individual constituents who asked for his help.

The mayor of Kilkenny Cllr. Pat Crotty and Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Cllr. Tomas Breathnach and fellow Councillors from the Borough Council and County Council accompanied the funeral cortege in a guard of honour.

The sympathy of both authorities is offered to Joe's wife Noelle, his children, Ailish, Kathleen Roisin and Patrick and his extended family.

Ar Dheis De a anam.