It is with great sadness that the Isle of Man Government announces the death of Hon. Bill Malarkey MHK after a long illness. Mr Malarkey, who was Minister for Home Affairs, passed away last night in hospice with his family at his bedside. He was 68.
Mr Malarkey continued to serve as Minister after being diagnosed with a serious illness, fulfilling his duties at Home Affairs and as MHK for Douglas South until the end. He is one of a very few members of the Manx Parliament to have died in office.
Chief Minister Hon. Howard Quayle MHK has paid tribute to Mr Malarkey’s contribution to Island life. He said:
'I am very saddened at the news of Bill’s passing as he was a close friend and colleague. On behalf of Government I send deepest condolences to his wife Pamela, family and many friends. Bill’s loss is untimely as he still had much to give, but we can take some comfort that his suffering is over. His forbearance in the darkest of times was admirable.’
The Chief Minister continued:
‘Bill was a proud Manxman who was devoted to his family and dedicated to public life. He served his country and his community well over many years. Bill championed local causes as a councillor in Douglas and as an MHK, and was always there to help constituents. He was respected in the House of Keys and Tynwald where he spoke with sincerity and passion – his hallmark was ‘telling things as they are’ and we admired him for it. His friends in Tynwald will be the poorer without him, he will be much missed.’
As Minister, Bill Malarkey oversaw the development of three significant pieces of legislation. These include the Domestic Abuse Bill which seeks to make domestic abuse a crime in its own right for the first time in the Isle of Man, a measure the Minister passionately supported. He oversaw the introduction of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Bill which aims to modernise existing law, and was responsible too for finalising the development of the Justice Reform Bill which aims to bring lasting, positive change to the Island’s criminal justice system.
The Minister was a keen advocate for the rehabilitation of offenders and championed the opening of the new bail hostel in Tromode which provides modern accommodation for offenders supported by trained probation officers.
He was an active Chair of the Substance Misuse Steering Group, guiding the body through a landmark consultation on the use and production of cannabis as well as being influential in the development of licensing legislation and policy.
Mr Malarkey’s family has asked that they be allowed privacy at this sad time. Arrangements for the funeral will be notified in due course.
