Tributes hail ex-Minister Pat Cooney's 'courage and integrity’

Pat Cooney, one of Athlone's leading political figures who held key roles in several Governments of the 1970s and '80s, is being remembered for his professional courage and personal decency following his passing at the age of 94.

Mr Cooney died peacefully on Saturday last, after a short illness, and his memorial Mass will take place in Athlone's St Mary's Church tomorrow (Thursday) at 10.30am.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris described him as "a man of tremendous integrity" who possessed "a genuine passion for politics and working to improve the lives of his constituents of Longford-Westmeath".

A practising solicitor in Athlone before becoming a full-time politician, he was first elected to Dáil Eireann in 1970.

His first role as a Government Minister, which was also his longest and most prominent, was as Minister for Justice from March 1973 until July 1977 at a time when cross-border tensions were particularly fraught as a result of the Troubles in the North.

His next Ministerial role came in the early '80s, and he went on to serve as Minister for Transport and Telecommunications, Minister for Defence, and Minister for Education between 1981 and 1987. He also served as an MEP from 1989 until 1994

Former Athlone Fine Gael TD Gabrielle McFadden said she was "really saddened" by the news of his passing last weekend.

"As a politician, I think he was probably one of the bravest ever while he was Minister for Justice in the '70s," Ms McFadden told the Westmeath Independent on Monday.

"He was very much a man of integrity and he believed in what he did. He represented Longford-Westmeath to the best of his ability and he was a stalwart, really."

She added that, on a personal level, Pat Cooney and her late father, the former Athlone councillor Brendan McFadden, were close friends.

"My memories as a child were of travelling out to the Cooneys' house (in Garnafailagh) on a Sunday morning, when Daddy would meet Pat and they would discuss what had happened in the week before and what was happening in the week coming."

She remembered that, amid the tensions of that period, and because of his role as Minister for Justice, Mr Cooney's home would have Gardai stationed at the front gates.

When she and her late sister Nicky became involved in politics he was "always very supportive" she said.

"Even as recently as last year when Nina Carberry was in Athlone, running for the European elections, I brought her down to meet Pat and get some advice. He was very kind, gave her plenty of time, and advised her well. He had a great brain.

"The other lovely thing about him is that he was very down to earth and very decent to everybody he came upon. It didn't matter who you were or where you were from. He was the epitome of a gentleman."

She said his death "very much" represented the end of an era.

"There was a cohort of people that I would consider the Fine Gaelers of the '70s and '80s, the likes of Gerry Reynolds, a son of Pat Joe Reynolds; Pat Cooney; Peter Barry who would be Deirdre Clune's father; John Boland... they were all that kind of generation.

"That's the Fine Gael that I grew up with, and it's the end of an era with his passing. Lord have mercy on him."

Born in Longford town, Mr Cooney was educated at Castleknock College, before going on to UCD, where he obtained a BA (1951) and a Bachelor of Laws (1953) degree. He moved to Athlone to work with the legal firm of Fair and Murtagh, and practised there as a solicitor until becoming a full-time politician.

Entry to politics

Like many who go on to serve on the national stage, Mr Cooney’s entry to political life came via the county council, on which he served from 1967 to 1973. His move to national politics came in April 1970 when, in the by-election held following the death of the Fianna Fáil TD, Paddy Lenihan, he was elected to Dáil Éireann.

At the time, what was termed the ‘dual mandate’ was allowed, and so for the next three years, he served in both the Dáil and the county council. In the 1973 general election he topped the poll in this constituency, was appointed Minister for Justice, and left the county council.

In 1977, the Fianna Fáil landslide victory saw Mr Cooney lose his seat, but the subsequent Seanad election saw him win a seat on the cultural and educational panel.

In 1981 and 1982, there were three general elections and Mr Cooney regained his Dáil seat in 1981, and retained it in the two elections in 1982. Post the 1981 election, he served as Minister for Transport and Telecommunications. After the second 1982 election, he was appointed Minister for Defence, and, in a 1986 reshuffle, as Minister for Education.

Mr Cooney retained his seat in the 1987 general election at which Fianna Fáil came into power. He then ran successfully in the European Parliament elections in 1989, but opted not to seek re-election when that term ended in 1994.

Supporter of EU

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent in 2023, for a special supplement marking 50 years of Ireland's membership of the EU, he expressed his enthusiasm for the European project.

"I was always excited by this concept of a European Union, of the continent coming together politically and economically. I always felt that it was a tremendous development in world politics and entirely for our interest," Mr Cooney explained.

"I was never worried about loss of sovereignty or anything like that, for whatever formal loss of sovereignty occurred we more than made up for it informally and by having an equal seat with the most powerful nations of Europe in the EU."

Interest in history and sport

Outside of politics, Mr Cooney enjoyed travel, particularly after retirement, and he was keen on history, having been for many years an active member of the Old Athlone Society.

He was also a sportsman of some note. Rugby was his passion, and he played and also refereed, and had a long association with Athlone RFC and then Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers club this week paid tribute to him, saying his lifetime membership included serving in a number of roles over the years, including trustee.

"His quiet counsel was a greatly valued asset to the club and he played a key role in the lead-up to the provision of the magnificent facilities currently at Dubarry Park," it said.

Mr Cooney also enjoyed equestrian pursuits, and was a long-time member of the South Westmeath Hunt, of which he was president. Another interest was horse racing.

Politics was, however, something of a family passion: Mr Cooney’s uncle by marriage was General Sean Mac Eoin; and both his brother – the Mullingar veterinary surgeon Fintan Cooney – and his son, Glasson-based solicitor Mark Cooney – also served as members of Westmeath County Council.

Family man

A keen family man, Mr Cooney had been predeceased by his wife Bridie (née McMenamin), as well as by his sisters, Mary Cooney and Christine Cooney, and his brothers John, Garrett and Fintan.

He is survived by his sons Mark (Glasson), Michael (Leitrim) and Edward (Italy); his daughter Catherine (Dublin); by Mark’s wife Anne and Edward’s wife Stefana; by Ann’s husband Kilian Plunkett, as well as by his grandchildren Eva, Gemma, Carla, Alice and Bridget, his sisters Agnes Cooney and Gemma Rowley, and his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Government tributes

Westmeath Government representatives have this week been paying tribute to Pat Cooney following his death on Saturday.

The local man was described as "a leading figure in Irish public life" by Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

"His decades of service as TD, Senator, Minister and MEP reflected his deep commitment to public service, especially to the people of Athlone, the constituency of Longford ‑ Westmeath, and the wider Midlands," said 'Boxer'.

"He was loyal and steadfast in his service to the State - a State he believed in strongly. He was a man who gave valued advice and support over the years, and I was always grateful to receive his wisdom," he added.

"At this time of loss, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Pat's family - his sons Mark, Michael, Edward, and his daughter Catherine - as well as his wide circle of friends.

"His legacy of dedication and integrity will long be remembered."

Mr Cooney's Fine Gael party colleague, Minister Peter Burke, spoke of his "long and distinguished career as a public representative" saying he "showed incredible bravery and integrity" throughout his political life.

"I think of his role during the 1973 to 1977 Government, when, as Minister for Justice, he defended the institutions of the State when they were under significant threat from subversives," said the Enterprise Minister.

"He was a true role model to me growing up, embodying the principles of public service and demonstrating what dedication and integrity can achieve in political life.

"He remained active in the community late into life, I remember meeting him at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Athlone three years ago when he gave me great advice after I had suffered a health scare.

"I think of Pat's family, in particular his sons, Mark, Michael, Edward and daughter Catherine, as well as his wide circle of friends and the community of Athlone at this difficult time," he added.

In accordance with Mr Cooney's wishes, his body has been donated to Medical Science.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family is available at Flynn's Funeral Home, The Strand, Athlone today (Wednesday) from 4pm to 7pm.

His memorial mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Athlone, on Thursday at 10.30am.

May he rest in peace.