Tributes on passing of former Roscommon TD

A former TD and senator from Roscommon lost his life in a road traffic accident on Saturday.

John Connor, from Cloonshanville, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon died on Saturday after a road accident.

He was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident shortly before 2pm on a local road in Frenchpark.

He was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar has expressed his condolences.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former Fine Gael TD and Senator John Connor.

“John represented the Roscommon area for Fine Gael for over three decades, as a TD, Senator and Councillor.

“John had an unwavering commitment to the people of his area and brought a considerable expertise to politics at local and national level. He had a keen intellect and was well versed in international affairs, but always had his finger on the pulse of local matters. He was very popular among his colleagues in Fine Gael and I know provided good counsel to a number of younger public representatives, who were grateful for his advice and time.

The late Mr Connor was first elected as TD for Roscommon in June 1981, but lost his seat in the February, 1982 general election.

He was nominated to the Seanad in 1983 by then Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, where he served on the Agriculture panel.

He regained his seat for Roscommon in the 1989 General Election and then to the new Roscommon Longford constituency in 1992,

He was appointed Opposition Spokesperson on European Affairs, a position he held until 1997, at which time he lost his seat in the general election. He was elected then to Seanad Éireann, where he remained until 2002, when he unsuccessfully contested the general election.

In 1999, he was elected to Roscommon County Council and re-elected in 2004. He retired from public life in 2009.

Deputy Denis Naughten expressed his sorry at Mr Connor's passing, saying he had

“learned a lot from John over our years together in Fine Gael”.

“He was someone who cared passionately for rural Ireland. As an orator John was the true successor to his neighbour James Dillon.”

Senator Aisling Dolan described the late Mr Connor as “an intellectual of huge depth and conviction”.

“As a politician, he combined passionate interest in international affairs, with an enormous commitment to providing diligent local representation,” she said.

“I am grateful for the wisdom and advice that John shared with me since I became a Fine Gael Oireachtas representative for Roscommon-Galway. As recently as this week, when I spoke with him by phone, he was offering good advice and thinking of others. And he was very engaged in political life meeting with friends at the recent Fine Gael conference in Maynooth before Christmas.

“John Connor was focused on Roscommon, Fine Gael, his friends and neighbours, and most of all to vulnerable people at home and abroad, who benefitted greatly from his abilities and dedication. May he rest in peace.”

Sadly missed and remembered with love by his sisters Margaret (Cady) and Anne (Gallagher), brothers-in-law Gerry and Brendan, nephews John, Barry, Paul, Jarlath and Ulick and their families Karey, Rebekah, Cecilia, Claudine, Erin, Milena, Nicolás, James, Ellie, Abby, Isabel, Henry and Heidi, to Pat and Margaret Moran, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends

John will repose in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Frenchpark on Wednesday from 5pm until 7.30pm. Removal from the funeral home on Thursday to St. Asicus’ Church, Frenchpark arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 11.30am, followed by interment in Cloonshanville cemetery.