Shane McEntee (politician)
Shane McEntee | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety | |
| In office 10 March 2011 – 21 December 2012 | |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Ciarán Cuffe |
| Succeeded by | Tom Hayes |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2007 – 21 December 2012 | |
| Constituency | Meath East |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office March 2005 – May 2007 | |
| Constituency | Meath |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shane Alan McEntee 19 December 1956 Nobber, County Meath, Ireland |
| Died | 21 December 2012 (aged 56) Castletown, County Meath, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | Kathleen McEntee |
| Relations | Andy McEntee (Brother) Gerry McEntee (Brother) James McEntee (Nephew) Shane McEntee (Nephew) |
| Children | 4, including Helen |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Shane Alan McEntee (19 December 1956 – 21 December 2012) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety from 2011 to 2012. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 2005 to 2012.[1]
Early life and family
McEntee was born in the village of Nobber in County Meath. 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 member of Fine Gael when he joined the party at the age of 15. Before being elected, he worked as a farmer and agricultural sales representative. He ran the "Dee Local Bar".[citation needed]
McEntee was also very involved in the GAA, both as trainer and player (until an injury ended his promising career).[citation needed] He played at the back with Nobber, and won the 1983 Feis Cup, managed the Meath minor team during the 1990s, and led three clubs (Ballinlough, Syddan, and Castletown) to finals of the Meath Intermediate Football Championship, with two wins from the three.[3] His brother Gerry is a renowned surgeon, who won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with Meath in 1987 and 1988.[3] Another brother, Andy went on to manage Meath, while Andy's son Shane also played for Meath, both after the death of their brother and uncle respectively.[4][5]
He was married with two daughters and a son.[6] His daughter Helen succeeded him as TD for Meath East after his death.
Politics
A close friend of Taoiseach Enda Kenny,[7] 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.[8] 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.
McEntee was also a successful campaigner on behalf of families in counties Dublin, Meath and Kildare whose homes had been damaged by pyrite in stone used in the foundations.
McEntee gave an impassioned speech in defence of party leader Enda Kenny during the 2010 Fine Gael leadership challenge.[3]
Death
McEntee died by suicide on 21 December 2012, two days after his 56th birthday.[9][10][11] McEntee had been feeling under pressure because of criticism of a number of Government budgetary decisions.[2] His funeral took place on 24 December 2012.
The by-election for his seat was held on 27 March 2013, and was won by his daughter Helen.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c Sheahan, Fionnan; Kelly, Fiach (22 December 2012). "A rousing speech that helped to save Kenny's leadership". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ O'Brien, Kevin (25 March 2019). "'Everyone who knows my dad knows the amount of work and effort he puts into it': Shane McEntee and his father, manager Andy, have helped Meath back into the top flight of the league". The42.ie.
- ^ O'Toole, Fintan (8 August 2016). "Meath appoint All-Ireland club winning boss McEntee as their new manager - And he'll be joined in the backroom by his brother Gerry". The42.ie.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Helen McEntee wins Meath East by-election after third count". RTÉ News. 28 March 2013.
- 1956 births
- 2012 deaths
- Fine Gael TDs
- GAA people from County Meath
- Gaelic football backs
- Gaelic football managers
- Irish businesspeople
- Irish farmers
- Irish politicians who committed suicide
- McEntee family
- Members of the 29th Dáil
- Members of the 30th Dáil
- Members of the 31st Dáil
- Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil
- Nobber Gaelic footballers
- Politicians from County Meath
- Suicides in the Republic of Ireland