Ring hails former Taoiseach John Bruton as ‘a thorough gentleman’ and ‘a man of great vision’

MAYO Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has hailed the late John Bruton as ‘a thorough gentleman’ and ‘a man of great vision’.

The former Taoiseach, who was in office from 1994 to 1997 and served as Fine Gael leader from 1990 to 2001, passed away today (Tuesday) following a long illness. He was 76 years old.

Speaking to The Mayo News following his passing, Deputy Ring described Mr Bruton as was ‘a tremendous politician’ and ‘a man of great vision’.

Mr Bruton was married to a Westport native, Finola (née Gill), and owned a house in the West Mayo town – to which he was a regular visitor over the years.

“He had a great love for Westport, a great love for the county but he was just a thorough gentleman,” Deputy Ring told The Mayo News.

“He was a nice man. He had a great understanding, he had great vision, he had a great heart, great spirit, and he is somebody that will really really be missed in Irish politics.

Deputy Ring added that Mr Bruton ‘never got the credit he deserved’ for his role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

“He always believed their couldn’t be a settlement without bringing the unionists with you. He was right, and is still right,” said Deputy Ring, who also described the former Taoiseach as a man ‘with a great sense of humour’.

Deputy Ring spent seven years as TD under Mr Bruton’s leadership after following his election to Dáil Éireann in 1994.

He extended his sympathies to his wife Finola, son Matthew, daughters- Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, John’s grandchildren, sons-in-law, John’s brother- Richard and sister-Mary and extended family and friends.

Fine Gael led the government for the next three years as head of the “rainbow coalition” government alongside Labour and Democratic Left.

John Bruton’s funeral details have yet to be announced.