John P. Wilson

For other people named John Wilson, see John Wilson (disambiguation).
John P. Wilson
Tánaiste
In office
13 November 1990  12 January 1993
Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Albert Reynolds
Preceded by Brian Lenihan
Succeeded by Dick Spring
Minister for Defence
In office
11 February 1992  12 January 1993
Taoiseach Albert Reynolds
Preceded by Vincent Brady
Succeeded by David Andrews
Minister for the Gaeltacht
In office
11 February 1992  12 January 1993
Taoiseach Albert Reynolds
Preceded by Charles Haughey
Succeeded by Michael D. Higgins
Minister for the Marine
In office
12 July 1989  11 February 1992
Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Preceded by Brendan Daly
Succeeded by Michael Woods
Minister for Tourism and Transport
In office
31 March 1987  12 July 1989
Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Preceded by Ray MacSharry
Succeeded by Séamus Brennan
Minister for Communications
In office
10 March 1987  31 March 1987
Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Preceded by Jim Mitchell
Succeeded by Ray Burke
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs
In office
9 March 1982  14 December 1982
Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Preceded by Patrick Cooney
Succeeded by Jim Mitchell
Minister for Education
In office
5 July 1977  30 June 1981
Taoiseach Jack Lynch
Charles Haughey
Preceded by Peter Barry
Succeeded by John Boland
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1973  November 1992
Constituency Cavan–Monaghan
Personal details
Born 8 July 1923(1923-07-08)
Kilcogy, Cavan, Ireland
Died 9 July 2007(2007-07-09) (aged 84)
Dublin, Ireland
Political party Fianna Fáil
Alma mater National University of Ireland,
University of London

John Patrick Wilson (8 July 1923 – 9 July 2007) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cavan in 1973 and served in Dáil Éireann until 1992.[1] Wilson served variously as Minister for Education, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Tourism and Transport and Tánaiste.

Early life and Gaelic football

John Wilson was born in Mullahoran, County Cavan in 1923. He was educated at St. Mel's College in Longford, the University of London and the National University of Ireland. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Classics and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was a secondary school teacher at St. Eunan's College and Gonzaga College and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) before he became involved in politics.[2] Wilson was also a Gaelic footballer for Cavan and won two All-Ireland medals with the team; one in 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York.[3] He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.[4]

Political career

Wilson was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election for the Cavan constituency, for Cavan–Monaghan in 1977 and at each subsequent election until his retirement after the dissolution of the 26th Dail in 1992.[5] In 1977 Jack Lynch appointed Wilson to Cabinet as Minister for Education. He went on to serve in each Fianna Fáil government until his retirement, serving in the governments of Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds.

In 1990 Wilson challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the 1990 presidential election. Lenihan won the nomination but failed to be elected President and was also sacked from the government. Wilson was then appointed Tánaiste. He remained in the cabinet until retirement in 1993. Although the 26th Dail was dissolved in December 1992, Wilson served in Government until the new government took office.

Retirement

Following his retirement from politics Wilson was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains by Bertie Ahern. This position entailed involvement with members of the Provisional IRA to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.

He died on 9 July 2007.[3]

See also

References

  1. "Mr. John Wilson". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. "Former tánaiste John Wilson dies". The Irish Times. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Cavan legend John Wilson passes away". RTÉ News. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  4. "Former Tanaiste John Wilson dies". Longford Leader. 11 July 2007.
  5. "John Wilson". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Patrick O'Reilly
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan
19731977
Succeeded by
Constituency abolished
New constituency Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan–Monaghan
19771992
Succeeded by
Brendan Smith
Political offices
Preceded by
Peter Barry
Minister for Education
1977–1981
Succeeded by
John Boland
Preceded by
Patrick Cooney
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs
1982
Succeeded by
Jim Mitchell
Preceded by
Jim Mitchell
Minister for Communications
1987
Succeeded by
Ray Burke
Preceded by
Ray MacSharry
Minister for Tourism and Transport
1987–1989
Succeeded by
Séamus Brennan
Preceded by
Brendan Daly
Minister for the Marine
1989–1992
Succeeded by
Michael Woods
Preceded by
Brian Lenihan
Tánaiste
1990–1993
Succeeded by
Dick Spring
Preceded by
Vincent Brady
Minister for Defence
1992–1993
Succeeded by
David Andrews
Preceded by
Charles Haughey
Minister for the Gaeltacht
1992–1993
Succeeded by
Michael D. Higgins
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