John P. Wilson

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 Kilcogy, Cavan, Ireland
Died	9 July 2007 (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

• Families in the Oireachtas – Diarmuid Wilson, a nephew, is currently a member of Seanad Éireann.

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. "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.

External links

• Friends we lost: Mr. John Wilson – Article at Hogan Stand