Remembering a man with a lot of friends ... and a lot of ideas
Lohan enjoys first visit for new Netflix film
JOHN Bruton’s brother paid an emotional tribute to the former Taoiseach in the Dail yesterday and said: “He was a man of ideas.”
Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton was speaking a day after 76- year- old John died following a long illness.
Normal D ail business was suspended to honour Mr Bruton who served as Taoiseach between 1994 and 1997 and was Fine Gael leader from 1990 to 2021.
A State funeral is to be held in Dunboyne, Co Meath, on Saturday.
TDS highlighted his intellect, sense of humour and distinctive laugh as well as his passion for farming and dedication to his faith.
Mr Bruton had led a“rainbow coalition” alongside Labour and the Democratic Left.
He was Taoiseach in 1995 when Ireland voted by a slim margin to lift a ban on divorce and for the first official royal visit to the country since the foundation of the state, welcoming then- Prince of Wales Charles.
He was pivotal in establishing the Northern Ireland peace process alongside then- UK Prime Minister Sir John Major. He retired from domestic politics in 2004 but served as the EU’S ambassador to the US until 2009.
During st at ements, Mr Bruton told how his older brother loved politics and was a “pioneer of reform” of the Dail.
He added: “There was nothing he liked better than the company of politicians and he was fortunate to have so many friends – not just in our party, but cross parties.
“He was, as people said, a man of a lot of ideas. Over one weekend he wrote a plan of the nation so he didn’t lack ambition – and I had to sometimes tidy these texts up.
“He always travelled on the slogan that ‘ every person counts’. I think he brought it into his dealings with everyone.
KINDNESS
“And I have to say that as he struggled himself over the past year and more, t hose acts of kindness that he provided have been rep aid a thousand times over by the care and support he’s got from people here, people in hospitals, and [ his wife] Fionala and family who cared for him so long over along period.”
Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail said it was “profoundly sad” the Dail had to gather following Mr Bruton’s death.
He said Mr Bruton was a “modern Irish patriot” who gave a “lifetime of sterling service”.
Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar extended his sympathy to the B rut on family who he said exemplify the positive principles of Irish politics.
He told how Mr Bruton led a life of extraordinary public service and had left a remarkable legacy.
Mr Varadkar added: “While his public persona was often intellectual and serious – as a person, he was always good company, funny, witty, gregarious, sociable, self- deprecating
w i t h a distinctive and infectious laugh. He continued to radiate optimism and confidence, and continued to inspire those around him as he worked to improve the lives of others.
“John believed in democracy and believed passionately that politics was a noble pursuit that could change lives for the better.”
Speaking on behalf of Fianna Fail political party, Finance Minister Michael Mcgrath said Mr Bruton was deeply involved in advancing “peace and prosperity” across Ireland.
He added: “He was a patriot in the truest sense of the word because he believed in serving all the people of the nation and dedicated his life to the idea that a democratic society must respect diversity of traditions and opinions.”
Greens leader Eamon Ryan shared personal recollections of meeting Mr Bruton, paying tribute to the former taoiseach’s “big thinking” and patriotism. He added: “He spoke with the authority of a former Taoiseach. It was stunning to watch and, god almighty, it was impressive.”
S i n n Fe i n l e a d e r Mar y L o u Mcdonald said she disagreed with his views but added: “I know that his perspective was sincerely held.”
And Labour l eader Ivana Bacik said: “I think we can acknowledge that John Bruton’s government played a key role in l aying the groundwork for the peace and stability that we now have across this island.”
In a statement, former Labour leader Dick Spring – Tanaiste in the coalition – said he was “someone prepared to give his all in the interests
of public service”.
He always travelled on the slogan of every person counts... RICHARD BRUTON YESTERDAY
DAIL
LINDSAY Lohan got a taste for Guinness pies while filming new movie Irish Wish.
The film was shot in Wick low in 2022, and doubled up Temple Bar in Dublin for New York. Mumof- one Lohan, 37, told blog Tudum: “Ireland’s so beautiful. I ’d never been.
“My grandfather’s from there. We stayed in Dalkey. The people are so nice, and the Guinness pies were amazing.”
Irish Wish – the second of the star’s collaborations with Netf li x – follows Maddie ( Lohan) putting puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at a wedding in Ireland when the love of her life gets engaged to her best friend.
Days before the pair are set to marry, Maddie makes a wish for true love, only to wake up as the bride- to- be.
■Irish Wish releases on Netflix on March 15.