Longford-Westmeath TD and President Higgins pay glowing tributes to 'remarkable' Mary O'Rourke

A large number of warm tributes have been paid to former Longford-Westmeath cabinet minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke who has died at the age of 87.

Ms O’Rourke started out as a Latin teacher but broke into the world of politics in 1982 after being elected to the Dáil in the Longford-Westmeath constituency.

She served as Minister for Education, Health and Public Enterprise over the course of a distinguished political career that began as a county councillor and lasted four decades.

Ms O’Rourke continued her family, the Lenihans, political dynasty and she also served as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2002 and as Leader of Seanad Éireann.

Longford-Westmeath TD Robert Troy has paid tribute to political stalwart Mary O'Rourke who he described as 'remarkable' and stated he was very sorry to hear of her passing.

The Fianna Fáil TD recalled how he first met his party colleague over 20 years ago when he was a young aspiring politician, and she was a "veteran and formidable politician with decades of experience" in public service.

"Mary and I eventually ran on the same general election ticket in 2011 along with the late Peter Kelly," Deputy Troy said
"Mary was a truly remarkable public representative who never shirked from speaking her mind in the best interest of her constituents. She was an outstanding constituency TD for Westmeath, and we must all acknowledge the transformative impact she had on the development of Athlone into one of the country's most vibrant and prosperous towns."

The Mullingar-based TD stated Ms O'Rourke was a "forward-looking, reforming Minister, particularly in the Department of Education where she made far-reaching improvements to Ireland's education system".

Deputy Troy insisted it is a legacy she can be proud of as Ireland now has one of the most advanced education systems in the world.

"Her loss will be felt by all of us within the Westmeath Fianna Fáil family, and all of the constituents whom she worked so hard for over the years," he said. "At this time, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to my colleague, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, his brother Feargal and all of the wider O’Rourke and Lenihan families."

Meanwhile, a glowing tribute has also been paid by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

He stated many friends, colleagues and former constituents will have learned of the death of Ms O'Rourke with great sorrow.

"Mary and so many members of her family – including her father PJ Lenihan, brothers Brian and Paddy, nephews Brian and Conor, and son Aengus – have made a distinguished contribution, and at the highest level, to Irish political life," he added.
President Higgins stated Mary had a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians.

"As a Minister, Minister of State, Leader of the Seanad, TD, Senator and Councillor, Mary O’Rourke was a deeply committed politician dedicated to serving the public," he added. "The warmth of her personality was reflected in the wide appreciation held for Mary amongst both the public and her fellow members of the Oireachtas, and was respected in her continuing and wide-ranging engagement with so many parts of public life in the years following her political career."

President Higgins said she will be very much missed by many people both in her native Athlone and beyond.
"May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mary’s sons Aengus and Feargal, to her grandchildren, and to all of her many colleagues and friends. Síocháin siorraí le a h-anam," he concluded.