Mayo pays tribute to 'a true patriot'
John Bruton pictured at his desk in Government Buildings during his period as Taoiseach in the mid-1990s. Picture: Billy Higgins
There have been warm tributes from politicians in Mayo to former Taoiseach John Bruton who passed away last week after a long battle with illness.
Mr Bruton, who served as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997 and as Fine Gael party leader from 1990 to 2001, had strong connections to Mayo through his wife Finola (nee Gill), who is a native of Westport. He and his wife were regular visitors to Westport over the years.
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who served with Mr Bruton in the Dáil for almost 30 years and was in his Cabinet during the Rainbow Coalition in the mid-1990s, said he had learnt "with deep sadness" of his former colleague's passing.
"Ireland has lost a true patriot; and we have all lost a good friend.
"I had the privilege to serve with John in Dáil Eireann and in Government over many years. He was a distinguished parliamentarian who became a great Taoiseach, always guided by his passion for social justice. As Taoiseach, he laid much of the groundwork for future positive progress in the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
"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."
Former minister and current Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michael Ring, also expressed his sorrow at the passing of the former Taoiseach.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the wonderful John Bruton. John was a thorough gentleman with an incredible mind and work ethic.
“John will be a tremendous loss to his family. He was a decent, hardworking man."
Deputy Ring continued: “In 1994, I was elected in a by-election. This seat resulted in Fine Gael being able to go into Government with John becoming Taoiseach. It was an honour to serve under John’s leadership. He was an excellent Taoiseach and statesman. He carried out tremendous work in relation to Northern Ireland.
“John was also ambassador of the European Union to the United States from 2004 to 2009. He served this role with distinction. John had great vision.
“We became wonderful friends and I valued his friendship. We had a great connection and we maintained this friendship through the years.
“John will be a huge loss to his family and this country. John will be remembered very fondly by all who knew and loved him."
Tributes were also paid to Mr Bruton at a meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District last Tuesday, just hours after news of his death was announced.
Fine Gael Cllr Michael Burke said the news had come as a shock even though Mr Bruton was ill for a lengthy period.
“He served this country very well. Listening to tributes this morning, the one thing that came through was he was very much a statesman at home and abroad,” he said.
Cllr Burke said he understood Mr Bruton made a great impression in his role as the European Union’s ambassador to Washington and was excellent at explaining to American politicians how the EU worked.
“He had strong views, he had an idea every morning he woke up and he had a brilliant brain,” he added.
Cllr John Cribbin offered his condolences to the Bruton family and said John was a national politician who served his constituents well at local, national, and European levels. He recalled how he met Mr Bruton last when he was a guest speaker at the 2019 Knock Novena.
“The name Bruton is synonymous with agriculture in the West of Ireland long before John and his family got into politics and all of his extended family members came from the West of Ireland many years ago,” Cllr Cribbin added.
Cllr Tom Connolly, who also conveyed his sympathies, said Mr Bruton was a regular visitor to Mayo with his wife Finola, while Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray paid tribute and praised Mr Bruton’s long and distinguished career in public life.
Mr Bruton is survived by his wife Finola; daughters, Juliana, Emily, and Mary-Elizabeth; son Matthew; sister Mary; brother Richard; extended family and many friends.
