merrion street

It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of my former colleague Fergus O’Brien.

Fergus was a great mentor to me when I first entered Dáil Éireann and was a very determined and hard working politician. He was very proud to serve the people of south east and south central Dublin for almost twenty years. He also served for two terms as Chief Whip during the 1980s.

Fergus was also a proud Dublin man and was honoured to be elected Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1980.

He was a quintessential Dubliner. He loved everything about his city. He loved his people, particularly working class people and took great pleasure in working with them to sort out many problems. He was an example to all, with a daily swim at the Half Moon club and a daily walk for many years.

I shall miss Fergus greatly, but was happy to have called to him recently to say good-bye.

I would like to extend my sympathies to his beloved wife Peggy and to their children on the sad loss of a loving husband and father.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.