Sadly, yesterday, April 15th, 86 year old former Tipperary Politician, Cabinet Minister; EU Commissioner and Senator, Mr Michael O’Kennedy, passed away, following a long illness.
Survived by his wife Breda and three children; the Nenagh, Co. Tipperary native, born into a family that had strong links to Sinn Féin and the Old IRA, had previously served as a Fianna Fáil TD for the constituency of North Tipperary, from 1969 until 2002.
Mr O’Kennedy joined Fianna Fáil in 1957, becoming an active member of the party, before failing narrowly to win a Dáil seat in the 1965 General Election for Tipperary North.
However he again contested the 1969 General Election and was successful in securing a seat.
During his period in office, Mr O’Kennedy served briefly as Minister for Transport (1973); later a popular Minister for Irish Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1987-1991); Minister for Labour (1991-1992); Minister for Foreign Affairs under Mr Jack Lynch and Minister for Finance under Mr Charles Haughey (1979-1980).
In January 1981, Mr O’Kennedy was appointed as Ireland’s EU Commissioner for Personnel Administration and the Statistics Office, but resigned one year later in February 1982, to return to Irish politics regaining his North Tipperary seat.
Mr O’Kennedy lost his seat again in the General election of 1992, which turned out to be a disaster for the Fianna Fáil party, but he was subsequently elected to Seanad Éireann (1993-1997), [On the Administrative Panel].
In 1997, he sought the Fianna Fáil nomination for President of Ireland, however, Mrs Mary McAleese became the party’s nominee.
Mr O’Kennedy retired from national politics in 2002 and returned to work as a barrister, subsequently becoming a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr O’Kennedy will repose at Fanagans Funeral Home, Willbrook, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin on Monday evening, April 18th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.
His body will be received into the Church of St. Mary of the Rosary, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, on Tuesday afternoon, April 19th, arriving for Requiem Mass at 1:30pm.
Mass will be followed immediately afterwards by interment in Tyone Cemetery, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Requiem Mass for Mr O’Kennedy, but are unable to do so, due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic; same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]
The extended O’Kennedy family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
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