Reformer who brought about real change

FORMER president Dr Patrick Hillery worked in public life for four decades — serving not just as president for two terms, but as Ireland’s first European commissioner and a reforming minister in four government departments.

Born in 1923 in Spanish Point, Co Clare, he was a doctor by training, having followed his father into the medical profession. He began practising in Miltown Malbay after qualifying from UCD, and later acted as coroner for west Clare.

As Taoiseach Bertie Ahern noted earlier this week that Dr Hillery’s early days in politics were closely associated with two of Ireland’s most legendary political figures.