Liam Cosgrave: a patriot who stood by the Republic

TO THE end, Liam Cosgrave remained a dedicated fan of horseracing and retained his known dry wit. Anyone who met him in his latter days was struck by his terrific sense of humour, sharp mind and lack of airs and graces. From the beginning to the end, the former Taoiseach and son of a former leader of the country was dedicated to this Republic, which he defended staunchly in his prime.

Living to the age of 97, Mr Cosgrave was in O’Connell Street last year for the centenary commemorations of the 1916 Easter Rising. His frail health meant he had to sit in a car parked beside the GPO, but he was determined to be there for the occasion, due to his family connection.

His father WT Cosgrave was the Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State during the founding days of our nation from 1922.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar noted last night how Mr Cosgrave had devoted his life to public service and had always put the nation first.

Mr Cosgrave headed up the government at a time of profound economic challenges for our country. However, he should be remembered for the manner in which he and his government faced down the threat to the State, its institutions and our democratic system posed by the Provisional IRA and loyalist paramilitaries.

He also played a key role in the establishment of The Sunningdale Agreement in Northern Ireland, which ultimately served as a template for the power-sharing arrangements under the Good Friday Agreement.

A principled politician, who didn’t shy away from standing his ground, this country owes a debt of gratitude to Liam Cosgrave, a patriot who stood by the Republic.