Mary O’Rourke, former Fianna Fáil TD and minister, dies aged 87

The former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke has died, her family has confirmed. She was 87.
Ms O’Rourke, who represented Longford-Westmeath in the Dáil, was deputy leader of Fianna Fáil between 1994 and 2002.
[ Vaccinated O’Rourke eager for a ‘tight, tight hug’ from her grandchildrenOpens in new window ]
She was a member of a famous Athlone political family, the Lenihans, and her brother Brian was also a long-standing Fianna Fáil minister in the governments of Charles Haughey. Her nephews, Brian and Conor Lenihan, were also TDs, with the former serving as minister for finance during the financial crash.
Ms O’Rourke – who was one of the best-known politicians in the country for many years – served in the cabinets of Mr Haughey and later Bertie Ahern.
After losing her Dáil seat in 2002, she went into the Seanad where she was appointed leader of the House. She returned to the Dáil in 2007, but lost her seat in 2011.
[ Mary O’Rourke: The day I announced our worst ever pupil-teacher ratioOpens in new window ]
After her time politics Ms O’Rourke continued to maintain a high public profile, writing and broadcasting.
It is understood that she has been ill recently.
Her son Feargal paid tribute to her in a post on X, saying she “loved [her sons] to bits, taught us to respect everyone, to be honest, to work hard and study hard, to love our family”.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD said that Ms O’Rourke was a “remarkable woman” who made an outstanding contribution to the ”modernisation of Ireland”.
“It was a privilege to serve with her in cabinet from 1997-2002, where I witnessed firsthand her intelligence, leadership, and deep commitment to public service,” Mr Martin said.
“Beyond her political achievements, Mary was a commanding and engaging figure—an insightful observer of both political life and societal trends. Her wit and keen sense of the country, both in its present state and future potential, made her a cherished colleague and friend. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time, especially Feargal and Aengus and her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.”
President Michael D. Higgins said that she – and members of her family – had made a “distinguished contribution, and at the highest level, to Irish political life”.
“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.
“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.
She will be much missed by many both in her native Athlone and beyond.”
In the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said it had just come to his attention that “a former esteemed colleague, long serving colleague, highly regarded and colourful colleague of ours Mary O’Rourke has just passed away”.
He said: “I’m sure we’d all want to be associated with expressions of sympathy to her family”.
Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan described Ms O’Rourke as “a personality” and said “she and her family made a huge contribution to public life in this country” over a long number of years.
Sinn Féin TD and former Fianna Fáil member Chris Andrews also sympathised, calling Ms O’Rourke a robust and big personality.
More to follow …