Tributes have been paid to “a giant” of Manchester politics following his death at the age of 78.
Pat Karney had represented Harpurhey for Labour since 1979 and had been well-known as the authority’s city centre spokesman, including when the IRA bombed the city centre in 1996.
He had been suffering from cancer and had been having treatment at The Christie Hospital.
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Karney was born in Dublin and moved to Manchester as a boy. Proud of his Irish roots, he played a prominent role in the city’s Irish Festival.
He helped drive the regeneration of Manchester city centre following the 1996 IRA bombing and masterminded the first Manchester Day celebrations in 2010.
A long-standing champion of gay rights, he also played a leading role in Manchester City Council’s opposition to Section 28, which prohibited local authorities and state-funded schools from “promoting homosexuality.”
Recently appointed Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges said he was “Manchester through and through and he never lost his determination to champion the city or his astute political judgement.”
Details of a book of condolence – including online – will be announced soon.
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century. My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts.
“Affectionately known by many as Mr Manchester, Pat was one of the city’s most recognisable figures. Through Manchester’s renaissance, Pat championed making our city what it is today from the regeneration of the city centre, improving the health of Manchester people, to the creation of Manchester Day- he was incredibly proud of Manchester and recognised the need to bring people together.
“A local north Manchester boy, he championed Manchester while ferociously fighting for the people of Harpuhey and Collyhurst. He delivered on the ground from new council housing and a GP surgery to championing a new North Manchester Hospital.
“Pat was one of a kind, passionate, determined, sharp and quick witted, but he was also thoughtful, kind and supportive. He will be remembered too for his sense of fun.
“A private man, he was in many ways a trailblazer in politics, someone who sacrificed a lot to be himself he championed the gay village and LGBT equality, he paved the way for generations who came after him.
“Working together for over 15 years we became good friends and like many I will miss him- but also make sure his achievements are celebrated in a way that he would be proud of.”
