‘Ireland has lost a true patriot’ - Enda Kenny and county councillors pay tribute to late John Bruton

FORMER Taoiseach Enda Kenny and public representatives in Mayo have paid tributes to the late former Taoiseach John Bruton, who passed away earlier today.

Enda Kenny, who served as a TD alongside Mr Bruton for several years, said that: “Ireland has lost a true patriot; and we have all lost a good friend.”

The former Taoiseach went on to describe his Fine Gael colleague as ‘a distinguished parliamentarian who became a great Taoiseach, always guided by his passion for social justice’.

Mr Bruton served as Taoiseach between 1994 and 1997 as part of the Fine Gael-led ‘rainbow coalition’ government alongside Labour and Democratic Left.

He later served as the EU’s ambassador to the US between 2004 and 2009.

Over the years, Mr Bruton was a frequent visitor to Mayo, particularly to his wife Finola’s native town of Westport, where he owned a house.

“As Taoiseach, he laid much of the groundwork for future positive progress in the Northern Ireland peace process,” Mr Kenny stated.

 “John will be remembered by most as an honourable person with great resilience and a wonderful sense of humour, who always put his country first. He was outstanding in his commitment to the European Union and excelled in explaining the EU to American politicians from both parties.”

Mr Kenny and Deputy Michael Ring have expressed their condolence to Mr Bruton’s wife Finola, his daughters, Juliana, Emily, and Mary-Elizabeth, his sons Matthew and Richard and his sister Mary.

A minute’s silence in Mr Bruton’s memory was held at today’s (Tuesday) monthly meeting of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District after cross-party tributes from local representatives.

Fine Gael councillors Michael Burke, John Cribbin, and Tom Connolly all paid their tributes, with Cllr Burke describing him as ‘a statesman’ who ‘served people extremely well’.

Cllr Tom Connolly noted that the Meath native was ‘a devoted Catholic’ who made frequent visits to Knock Shrine.

Cllr Cribbin and Cllr Patsy O’Brien (Independent) said that the Bruton family had been synonymous with the cattle trade, with Cllr O’Brien describing him as ‘a very ordinary man’ who ‘lived an ordinary life’.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Caulfield said Mr Bruton had been ‘a wonderful ambassador’ for the country when he was abroad. His Fianna Fáil colleague, Cllr Adrian Forkan, also offered his condolences.

His international work was also noted by Cllr Richard Finn (Independent), who said he ‘did his best under all types of circumstances for the nation, country and for Northern Ireland’.

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray, Cathaoirleach of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, then led a minute’s silence his memory.