Tributes paid to ‘determined and positive’ son of ex-MEP Mick Wallace after he dies

Joseph (Joe) Barry Wallace (30) died in Tallaght hospital on Thursday with his family at his side following a short illness.

The son of the recently unseated Ireland South MEP and Patricia Barry, Joe was a talented footballer and played for Wexford Youths when the League of Ireland club was in its infancy.

Last year, Joseph had undergone surgery on a brain tumour and had made a “great recovery” and was managing things with medication. However, things took another tragic turn in recent weeks.

"We were on the campaign trail for the European elections when he got a bit of bad news about a month ago that there was another tumour,” close family friend and Mick’s election campaign manager Seanie O’Shea said.

"Despite that, Joseph was in good spirits. He’s like Mick in that regard, he was a very positive person. There was a plan in place and he was going to do radiotherapy, but he had to wait until he came off the last medication to start it.”

However, attending a festival with his siblings Sasha and Fionn in Glendalough, Joseph began to suffer headaches and he was rushed to Tallaght Hospital by ambulance.

A short time later, he lost consciousness and it was established he had a bleed on his brain.

His sister Gráinne made the journey back from New York to be by his side and eventually the machines were switched off before Joseph sadly passed away on Thursday morning.

"It’s just a horrible situation,” Seanie said. “There’s nothing anyone can say to make it better. All we can do is be there for the family.”

A talented young footballer, Joseph loved the game and lined out for Wexford Youths when the League of Ireland club, founded by his Dad, was in its infancy. He played a part in a memorable victory for the club’s U18s back in 2012.

"That was a great moment for him,” Seanie, who also served as the club chairman recalled. “It was great for Mick too. To have his son involved in that victory was something extra special for both of them.

"Joseph was mad into football and his father setting up a League of Ireland team was great for him. He loved it and travelled to all the games before he started playing himself.

"He wasn’t the most gifted player, but he was a nightmare to play against. He’d just never stop running and he had that determination that Mick has as well.”

Late on Thursday night, the club, now known as Wexford FC, paid tribute to the 30-year-old.

"We are desperately saddened to hear of the passing of our former player and son of Mick, Joe Barry Wallace,” the tribute said.

"We send our deepest sympathies to the Wallace family and all of his friends and clubmates. RIP Joseph.”

Having graduated from university as an engineer, Joe was bitten by the travelling bug and covered all four corners of the globe, including stints in Australia and Indonesia.

"He had most recently been living in Berlin,” Seanie revealed. “He and Mick were starting to plan what games they were going to go to in the coming year. It’s just so tough on the whole family.”

Joseph is survived by his heartbroken parents Mick and Patricia, siblings Gráinne, Fionn and Sasha, brother-in-law Aria, aunts, uncles, nieces, extended family, girlfriend Rheanna and his many wonderful friends across the world.

Tributes were also paid by a number of high-profile political figures as the news of Joseph’s passing broke. A political rival of Mick Wallace, Sean Kelly MEP described it as “shocking news”.

"Joe was a very bright and talented young man,” he said. “Sincerest sympathy to Mick and all the family. RIP.”

Similarly Maria Walsh MEP said: “Sincerest condolences to Mick and the Wallace family on Joseph’s passing. To his friends and community, my heartfelt sympathies.”

The devastating loss comes just two weeks after Mick Wallace lost his European Parliament seat in the recent elections, having represented Ireland South for the previous five years.

Joseph’s remains will be reposing at Fanagan’s Home on Saturday (June 29) from 12 noon until 3 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held in the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome the same day at 4 p.m.