Sligo Councillors pay tribute to former Taoiseach John Bruton

THE February meeting of Sligo County Council last Monday was adjourned for 15 minutes as a mark of respect to former Taoiseach John Bruton.

Mr Bruton, 76, died on February 6 at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, having had cancer for some time. A state funeral was held on 10 February at St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Dunboyne.

The Meath man served as Taoiseach of the Rainbow Coalition from 1994 to 1997, overseeing a referendum to legalise divorce in Ireland. His political peers at national level were quick to praise the important role he played in moving on the Peace Process.

Speaking at Monday’s SCC meeting, Cllr Dara Mulvey, FG, said Mr Bruton’s stature as a politician and statesman was underlined by the large numbers of people who attended the removal of his remains and his funeral.

He said the mix of people “of all classes and creeds” showed his popularity across the spectrum of life.

Cllr Mulvey said he wished to mention in particular the presence at the funeral of Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, with whom the late Mr Bruton would have strongly differed in terms of ideology. He said her attendance was “a mutual recognition that working together public representatives can improve our country’s lot.”

Cllr Mulvey added: “When all is said and done, John was recognised as a man of great faith and a man for whom his family was all important.”

In a lighter reference to his wife Finola (née Gill) a native of Westport, he added: “His good taste and wisdom was reflected by the fact that he came to Connacht to find a life partner.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh, FG, extended sympathy to Finola and their children Emily, Mary Elizabeth and to his sister, Mary and to his brother, serving TD Richard Bruton.

Representatives of all the political groups in Sligo County Council asked to be associated with the messages of sympathy with the meeting adjourned for 15 minutes.