Former Tánaiste John Wilson Dies, Aged 84

Tributes Paid Across The Nation For Former Fianna Fáil Minister

Former Fianna Fáil minister and Tánaiste John Wilson died on Monday, just one day after his 84th birthday.

Mr Wilson, an academic and All-Ireland winning GAA footballer, was first elected to the Dáil on his first attempt in 1973

He was re-elected at each subsequent election until 1992 when he retired his seat after holding a number of ministerial portfolios during his political career.

Born in Co. Cavan on July 8th, 1923, Mr Wilson was educated at St Mel's College, Longford, the University of London and the National University of Ireland.

The Mullahoran man spent some time teaching at Gonzaga College in Dublin and was also a university lecturer.

A footballer for his native county, he won two All-Ireland Medals and five Ulster Football Championship medals.

One of those All-Ireland medals was won at the famous 1947 final played in the Polo Grounds in New York.

A Long Political Career

Appointed by Jack Lynch to the frontbench on his first day in the Dáil, Mr Wilson remained on the front bench until he retired from Dáil Éireann.

He supported George Colley in the 1979 leadership contest, but kept his Cabinet rank under Charles Haughey and became a strong supporter of the former Taoiseach.

In 1990, he challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the Presidency.

In June 1998, the Government appointed him Victims' Commissioner in which role he conducted a review of the services and arrangements in place to meet the needs of those who suffered as a result of violent action arising from the conflict in the North.

In August 1999 he published his findings in a report called 'A Place and A Name'.

In May 1999, he was appointed as a member of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains to help locate the whereabouts of nine missing people killed by the IRA in the 1970s.

Tributes Flow For Former Tanaiste

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led the tributes to former Tanaiste John Wilson, who died yesterday, saying: "John Wilson was a sportsman, a scholar and a politician who served Cavan and Ireland through decades of endeavour in many fields.

"A fine orator and a classics scholar, he was a popular deputy across the house who contributed with knowledge, wit and courtesy across a broad range of issues.

"As Taoiseach, I was privileged to work with John Wilson on victims' issues. His was an important contribution to the peace process.

"The Wilson report in 1999 led to a number of important initiatives, including the inquiries into atrocities that occurred in the South and the provision of a dedicated fund to support victims.

Minister of State Brendan Smith, who was Mr Wilson's personal assistant in seven departments and succeeded him as T.D. for Cavan-Monaghan, said he was "an icon" who was admired by younger colleagues from all parties.

"He was a father figure to young TDs and Senators and always gave them very wise counsel," he said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described him as "a brilliant academic and a politician who mastered any brief that he was working on."

GAA President Nickey Brennan described Mr Wilson as "an outstanding GAA man, politician and person," saying that he had remained "a great friend of the GAA throughout his political career" and that he "would be remembered with fondness by all in the GAA family."