Tributes paid after death of former Fine Gael TD John Connor

Tributes have been paid following the death yesterday afternoon of former Fine Gael TD, senator and county councillor, John Connor.

In a social media post this morning, local Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said he was sad to hear of the passing of his party colleague, who was a native of Frenchpark.

“John was a man of huge integrity, a great orator, political wisdom, good company and a great friend,” said Deputy Feighan.

Local Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan described him 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.

Mr Connor enjoyed an impressive political career spanning 25 years. He was first elected as a Fine Gael TD to Dáil Éireann in the 1981 General Election for the Roscommon East Galway constituency.

He lost his seat a year later, but went on to become a long serving senator. In the 1989 General Election he made a major Dail comeback, winning back his seat and topping the poll in Roscommon/East Galway.

He retained his Dail seat in 1992 in the newly created Longford-Roscommon constituency. He served until 1997 when he was unsuccessful in that year’s election but was again elected to the Seanad.

Mr Connor also served as a county councillor. In 1999 he was elected to Roscommon County Council, and retained his council seat at the 2004 Local Elections.

He was regarded as an important political voice not just for Roscommon but for the West. He was very knowledgeable on international, European, rural and farming affairs, and served for a period as Government Senate Spokesperson on Western Development.

Mr Connor was also noted as a keen orator and acclaimed public speaker.