‘A dedicated public servant, respected by all politicians’

Fine Gael Senator John McGahon has paid tribute to former Louth Senator Terry Brennan who passed away this morning, remembering him as a popular politician and devoted constituency worker.

Senator McGahon said: ‘ Terry was first elected in 1985 and won five consecutive Local Elections representing Dundalk Carlingford on Louth County Council for a total of 26 years.

‘In 2009 he received 1,462 first preference votes which is the highest vote ever achieved by a Fine Gael candidate in the Dundalk Carlingford electoral area. Terry’s crowning political triumph was his election to Seanad Eireann in 2011 on the Labour Panel where he was appointed as the Seanad spokesperson on Tourism and Sport.’

Senator McGahon continued: ‘ Terry was an excellent politician, I remember he showed me a list of over 3,000 names of people whom he had helped resolve issues for. Terry was extremely popular in Leinster House, not only with his Fine Gael colleagues but with colleagues of all political parties and none. I think it is a real testament to his personality and likeability that he was so respected by all sides of the House.’

‘I represented the same local electoral area of Dundalk Carlingford as Terry did and it was impossible to go about my job without every second or third house mentioning Terry’s name and referencing a job or a representation he had made on their behalf.’

‘I extend my deepest condolences to Terry’s wife Aileen, his children Bobby, Tanya and David and his grandchildren.’