Preceded by Brian Lenihan Preceded by Charles Haughey Succeeded by Dick Spring Succeeded by Michael D. Higgins | Preceded by Vincent Brady Name John Wilson Succeeded by David Andrews | |
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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. Wilson served variously as Minister for Education, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Tourism and Transport and Tánaiste.
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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. 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. He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.
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. 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.