Shane McEntee (politician)
Shane McEntee | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety | |
| In office 10 March 2011 – 21 December 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Ciarán Cuffe |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2007 – 21 December 2012 | |
| Constituency | Meath East |
| In office March 2005 – May 2007 | |
| Constituency | Meath |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 December 1956 Nobber, County Meath, Ireland |
| Died | 21 December 2012 (aged 56) Nobber, County Meath, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | Kathleen McEntee |
| Children | 4 |
Shane McEntee (19 December 1956 – 21 December 2012) was an Irish Fine Gael politician.[1] A TD (member of parliament) for the Meath East constituency, he served as Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety from 2011 to 2012.
Early life and family
McEntee was born in the town of Nobber in County Meath, where he lived his entire life. He had seven siblings. His father Tony died in March 2011 at the age of 86 while his mother Madge outlived him.[2]
He became an active a member of Fine Gael when he joined the party at the age of 15. Before being elected, McEntee worked as a farmer and agricultural sales representative. He ran the "Dee Local Bar".
McEntee was also very involved in the Gaelic Athletic Association, training numerous teams. He was a brother of Gerry McEntee, the All-Ireland winning Meath footballer and surgeon.
He was married with three daughters and a son.[3]
Politics
A close friend of Taoiseach Enda Kenny,[4] McEntee's election candidacy began in 2004 when he was selected as the Fine Gael candidate in the Meath by-election, which was triggered by the resignation from Dáil Éireann of Fine Gael's former leader, John Bruton. Polling was on 11 March 2005, and McEntee narrowly beat the Fianna Fáil candidate Shane Cassells, and was elected to the 29th Dáil.
McEntee was re-elected at the 2007 and 2011 general elections.[5] He was the Fine Gael deputy spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Food and Fisheries from 2007 to 2011. On 10 March 2011, he was appointed as the Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety.
During the 2010 Fine Gael leadership heave McEntee gave an impassioned speech in defence of party leader Enda Kenny.[6]
Death
McEntee killed himself on 21 December 2012, two days after his 56th birthday.[7][8][9] According to friends, McEntee had been feeling under pressure over issues in his department and constituency.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Mr. Shane McEntee". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ a b "Political world is rocked by tragic death of junior minister". Irish Independent. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ "Death announced of Minister of State Shane McEntee". RTÉ News. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ Sheahan, Fionnan; Telford, Lyndsey (21 December 2012). "Taoiseach in shock as Junior Minister Shane McEntee dies suddenly". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ "Shane McEntee". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ Sheahan, Fionnan; Kelly, Fiach (22 December 2012). "A rousing speech that helped to save Kenny's leadership". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ Minihan, Mary (22 December 2012). "Tributes paid to late junior minister Shane McEntee". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ "Minister of State Shane McEntee dies suddenly". Irish Examiner. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ "Funeral arrangements for Minister Shane McEntee". Meath Chronicle. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
External links
- 1956 births
- 2012 deaths
- Fine Gael politicians
- Gaelic football managers
- Irish businesspeople
- Irish farmers
- Irish politicians who committed suicide
- Members of the 29th Dáil
- Members of the 30th Dáil
- Members of the 31st Dáil
- Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil
- Politicians from County Meath
- Suicides in the Republic of Ireland
- Teachtaí Dála