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Former Fine Gael Minister and MEP Tom O’Donnell has died at 94.
O’Donnell died suddenly and peacefully Thursday at his residence in Ballysheedy West, Co Limerick.
In a long political career, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1961 and then appointed Minister of Gaeltacht after the 1973 general election by Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave.
In 1979 he was elected to the European Parliament and retained his seat in 1984. He retired from politics, undefeated, in 1989.
In tribute, former Taoiseach John Bruton described O’Donnell as a man of great warmth and conviction.
“He maintained a youthful enthusiasm for all the causes he was involved in, until the end of his life. He never wavered, ”Bruton said.
“He inspired great affection among the people of Gaeltacht and brought unprecedented attention, at the highest level, to them and their needs. He acquired a command of the language and conducted all the official business of his Department in Irish. “
O’Donnell was born into a high-profile in-laws, the eldest of eight children of Patrick and Josephine O’Donnell and a native of Bulgaden, Kilmallock, and later Cappamore and Dromin.
Educated at the Convent of Mercy and Boys National School in Cappamore and then at Crescent College Limerick, CBS Charleville and Copsewood College, Pallaskenry, then he would study at St Patrick’s College, Thurles and University College Dublin.
He taught at St Fintan’s, Sutton, and North Strand Vocational School before returning to Limerick to pursue his political career.
After his retirement, he held several prominent and volunteer positions, such as President and Chairman of the Irish Peace Institute at the University of Limerick, and on the boards of the Limerick Enterprise Network and the Limerick Community Based Education Initiative, among others.
In 2001 he was honored by the Limerick City Council and in 2005 by the Limerick City Council with civic receptions and special presentations to mark the completion of half a century of political and voluntary service to the people of the county.
O’Donnell is survived by his wife Helen, son Thomas, brothers Frank, PJ, and sisters Bernadette Boner and Millie Boyle, nieces and nephews. He died before his sister Alicia and his brothers Mark and Martin.
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