John Wilson (Irish politician)
John P. Wilson | |
|---|---|
| File:John P. Wilson.jpg | |
| Tánaiste | |
| In office 13 November 1990 – 12 January 1993 | |
| Taoiseach | |
| Preceded by | Brian Lenihan |
| Succeeded by | Dick Spring |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Vincent Brady |
| Succeeded by | David Andrews |
| Minister for the Gaeltacht | |
| In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993 | |
| Taoiseach | Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Charles Haughey |
| Succeeded by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Minister for the Marine | |
| In office 12 July 1989 – 11 February 1992 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Brendan Daly |
| Succeeded by | Michael Woods |
| Minister for Tourism and Transport | |
| In office 31 March 1987 – 12 July 1989 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Ray MacSharry |
| Succeeded by | Séamus Brennan |
| Minister for Communications | |
| In office 10 March 1987 – 31 March 1987 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Jim Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Ray Burke |
| Minister for Posts and Telegraphs | |
| In office 9 March 1982 – 14 December 1982 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Patrick Cooney |
| Succeeded by | Jim Mitchell |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 5 July 1977 – 30 June 1981 | |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch Charles Haughey |
| Preceded by | Peter Barry |
| Succeeded by | John Boland |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 1973 – November 1992 | |
| Constituency | Cavan–Monaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Patrick Wilson 8 July 1923 Kilcogy, County Cavan, Ireland |
| Died | 9 July 2007 (aged 84) Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Fennelly (m. 1954; d. 2007) |
| Relations | Diarmuid Wilson (Nephew) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
John Patrick Wilson (8 July 1923 – 9 July 2007) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Tánaiste from 1990 to 1993, Minister for Defence and Minister for the Gaeltacht from 1992 to 1993, Minister for the Marine from 1989 to 1992, Minister for Tourism and Transport from 1987 to 1989, Minister for Communications in March 1987, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs from March 1982 to December 1982 and Minister for Education from 1977 to 1981. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cavan from 1973 to 1992.[1]
Early life and Gaelic football
John Wilson was born in Mullahoran, County Cavan in 1923. He was educated at St. Mel's College in Longford, the University of London and the National University of Ireland. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Classics and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was a secondary school teacher at St. Eunan's College and Gonzaga College and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) before he became involved in politics.[2] Wilson was also a Gaelic footballer for Cavan and won two All-Ireland medals with the team; one in 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York.[3] He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.[4]
Political career
Wilson was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election for the Cavan constituency, for Cavan–Monaghan in 1977 and at each subsequent election until his retirement after the dissolution of the 26th Dail in 1992.[5] He was succeeded as Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan by his special advisor, Brendan Smith, who went on to serve as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 2008 to 2011. In 1977 Jack Lynch appointed Wilson to Cabinet as Minister for Education. He went on to serve in each Fianna Fáil government until his retirement, serving in the governments of Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds.
In 1990 Wilson challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the 1990 presidential election. Lenihan won the nomination but failed to be elected President and was also sacked from the government. Wilson was then appointed Tánaiste. He remained in the cabinet until retirement in 1993. Although the 26th Dail was dissolved in December 1992, Wilson served in Government until the new government took office.
Retirement
Following his retirement from politics Wilson was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains by Bertie Ahern. This position entailed involvement with members of the Provisional IRA to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.
He died on 9 July 2007.[3]
See also
- Families in the Oireachtas – Diarmuid Wilson, a nephew, is currently a member of Seanad Éireann.
References
- ^ "Mr. John Wilson". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "Former tánaiste John Wilson dies". The Irish Times. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Cavan legend John Wilson passes away". RTÉ News. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Former Tanaiste John Wilson dies". Longford Leader. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "John Wilson". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
External links
- Friends we lost: Mr. John Wilson – Article at Hogan Stand
- 1923 births
- 2007 deaths
- Academics of University College Dublin
- Alumni of the University of London
- Cavan inter-county Gaelic footballers
- Fianna Fáil TDs
- Irish sportsperson-politicians
- Members of the 20th Dáil
- Members of the 21st Dáil
- Members of the 22nd Dáil
- Members of the 23rd Dáil
- Members of the 24th Dáil
- Members of the 25th Dáil
- Members of the 26th Dáil
- Ministers for Defence (Ireland)
- Ministers for Education (Ireland)
- Ministers for the Environment (Ireland)
- Ministers for Transport (Ireland)
- People associated with Saint Eunan's College
- Politicians from County Cavan
- Tánaistí