Shock and sadness in Longford following death of Louis J. Belton

Shock and sadness greeted the news that former Fine Gael TD Louis J. Belton passed away on Saturday following a short illness.

A consummate representative for the people who elected him, Louis embodied all that was good about politics.

Fellow Kenagh native, Cllr Colm Murray, said the local community were still processing the loss of the popular politician: “The news was greeted with a sense of shock in Kenagh because we had seen him out only four weeks ago at the intermediate final. A lot of people were very surprised at the news of Louis' passing. There's a palpable sense of shock in the village and the wider area.”

Louis was a genial figure who always had an encouraging word for all who would listen. The impact of his death has drawn reactions from far and wide.

“A testament to how well Louis was regarded was the fact he still maintained a lot of friends among the colleagues who served with him in the Dáil,” Colm told the Leader, “There were a number of prominent political figures across the country who kept in close contact with him.

“They all viewed Louie with great esteem. He was a shrewd operator. He had great wisdom and an ability to read the field. He had an extraordinary connection with the people he represented for over 20 years. His loss will be keenly felt.”

Longford and Kenagh mourns passing of political giant Louis J Belton

Kenagh post office which was in the Belton family name for almost one hundred years

Cllr Murray says he has been inundated with communications over the weekend: “Since his passing on Saturday I have had numerous calls and texts. The first thing people wanted to talk about was Louis Belton. That's an indication of the high regard he was held in by everyone in Longford.”

The Kenagh councillor was co-opted to his council seat when Louis' brother Paddy passed away: “Louis and Paddy had a similar outlook, what you saw was what you got. There was no nonsense. They were straight talking politicians. They were very respected for that. They emphasised to me that to be straight and honest with people was the best policy.”

Cllr Murray said his mentor always had the best interest of the county at heart: “He was very proud of his Longford roots and Longford always figured prominently in his decision making,” he concluded.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pays tribute to 'great Longford politician', the late Louis Belton

Louis was born in Longford in 1943, and received his education at St. Mel’s College, Longford. He was passionate about sports and was a regular sight at GAA, soccer and rugby matches in the county. The seventh member of the Belton family to be elected to the Oireachtas, Louis had a distinguished career as an elected representative.

He served the people of Longford on the local county council, Longford ACOT, Midland Regional Development Organisation and the General Council of County Councils before being elected as TD.

First elected to Dáil Eireann in 1989, he lost out in the 1992 race in the new constituency of Longford-Roscommon. That year he took up a post as a Senator, on the Administrative Panel, acting as his party's spokesperson on Defence and the Marine in the Seanad up to 1997.

Longford's late Louis Belton hailed as a 'formidable grassroots campaigner' by former Taoiseach John Bruton

Louis brought his own distinctive style to politics

Louis was re-elected as a Teachta Dála in 1997 and continued in office until the May 2002 General Election after which point he retired from public life.

Deputy Peter Burke described Louie as “a strong voice of Fine Gael representation in the Longford area”.

Minister Burke said Louie's '89 elections was a political triumph: “This was a dramatic victory against all predictions in a constituency with three heavyweight Fianna Fáil deputies. He was the first Longford based deputy since General Seán MacEoin, in 1965.

“Belton was part of the famous Belton Clan with numerous cousins who have also been elected to hold public office, one of which is Ms Avril Doyle, former MEP for Leinster, TD and Senator,” Minister Burke said.

Louis J Belton will repose on Wednesday afternoon in Our Lady's Manor Nursing home from three o'clock until 7 o'clock, with Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11 o'clock in St Dominic's Church Kenagh.

Funeral arrangements announced for former Longford Fine Gael TD and Senator Louis J Belton