TRIBUTES AS FORMER FINE GAEL TD KILLED IN CRASH
Veteran politician Connor, 79, ‘took ill’ before fatal collision
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Fine Gael TD John Connor who died following a road traffic collision.
Mr Connor is believed to have fallen ill prior to the incident which happened in Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, on Saturday afternoon.
He was due to celebrate his 80th birthday next month.
Mr Connor, from Cloonshanville in Roscommon, who was also a former senator and county councillor as well as a farmer, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
He was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mr Connor enjoyed an impressive political career spanning 25 years.
He was first elected as a Fine Gael TD to Dail Eireann in the 1981 General Election for the Roscommon East Galway constituency.
He lost his seat a year later but went on to become a long-serving senator.
In 1989, Mr Connor made his Dail comeback in the General Election, when he regained his seat and topped the poll in Roscommon/east Galway.
He retained his seat in 1992 in the newly created Longfordroscommon constituency. He served until 1997 when he lost that year’s election but was again elected to the Seanad.
Mr Connor also served in local politics. In 1999, he was elected to Roscommon County Council and retained his seat at the 2004 elections.
Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said he was shocked to hear of the passing of his party colleague and friend.
He added: “John was a highly respected man, who was a man of huge integrity, a great orator, political wisdom, good company and a great friend.
“He was very well known, well respected and well liked. And he was certainly the life and soul of the party.
“He loved parliamentary politics. He was at home in the Dail and Seanad and he wasn’t afraid to speak out on certain issues.
“We all have fond memories of him and he will certainly be remembered and not forgotten.” His party colleague councillor Liam Callaghan said he is deeply saddened at the unexpected passing of Mr Connor.
He added: “There is widespread grief throughout the county as John was a highly-regarded politician from the 1980s until he retired in 2009.
“He has left a lasting legacy to his community, county and country.”
Roscommon Galway TD Deni Naughten said he was “saddened” to hear of John’s passing.
He added: “I learnt a lot from John over our years in Fine Gael. He was someone who cared passionately for rural Ireland.
“As an orator John was the true successor to his neighbour James Dillon. May he RIP.”
Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar also expressed his condolences on the death of Mr Connor.
He added: “He was very popular among his colleagues in Fine Gael and I know he provided good counsel to a number of younger public representatives, who were grateful for his advice and time.”
Gardai in Roscommon are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.
Road users who were travelling on this route at around 2pm on Saturday and have camera footage, including dashcam footage, are requested to make it available to investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda station on 094-9621630, the Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any station.
Meanwhile, two serious crashes in Wexford left a motorcyclist in a critical condition and three adults in hospital.
A three-vehicle collision took place on the main N25 Rosslare Road near the Coal Bunker Bar in Drinagh shortly before 8pm on Saturday.
Three adults were brought to Wexford General Hospital for treatment.
One man was arrested at the scene under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and is being detained at a garda station in Wexford.
A second man who was travelling in the same vehicle is assisting gardai with the inquiries.
A motorcyclist was hurt following a collision which took place on the R733 Duncannon Line outside Wexford at around 11.30pm on Saturday.
The single-vehicle collision happened at the Redshire Road junction.
A motorcyclist, aged in his 30s, was rushed to Wexford General Hospital with serious injuries and his condition was later described as “critical”.
He was certainly the life and soul of the party
FRANK FEIGHAN ON JOHN CONNOR’S DEATH