TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of Pat McManus, an Irish nurse working in North London for a number of years.
Hailing from Strabane in Co. Tyrone, Pat was an avid Celtic fan as well as an activist for the Republican Sinn Féin party, who led the tributes following the news of his death from Covid-19 yesterday.
“It was with great sadness that Sinn Féin Poblachtach learned of the death of Pat McManus. Pat was a stalwart Republican and loyal comrade,” they said in a post on their website.
“’Big Pat’ was one of our most valued activists - no task was too big or too small for him.”
They added: “His dedication, courage, and selflessness was exemplified in his professionalism and dedication as an NHS nurse.
“Despite his own underlying health issues, Pat refused to remove himself from frontline duties such was his commitment to help others and to save life.”
Mr McManus, a father to three sons, was also a a union leader - formerly the chair of the Brent Hospitals Unison branch.
During his time working as a nurse in north London Mr McManus held positions in Northwick Park Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital.
As news of his death spread, friends and former colleagues took to social media to pay their respects.
“I worked with him at Northwick for several years. A great nurse and our union rep.
“A lovely guy. RIP Pat,” a friend named Charlotte said on Twitter.
Róisín Hayden, a fellow Sinn Féin activist, said: “Pat was a gentleman of the highest order.
“As a nurse with the NHS he was on the frontline and knew the risks but that’s just the type he was, always a kind word for everyone and a willingness to help others.
“Pat you were a gent until the very end.
"Heartbroken for his family who can’t give him the send-off he so richly deserves but we will all remember him for the gent he was.”
