Party leaders pay tribute to Conor Cruise O’Brien

THE political world expressed its sadness last night following the death of former government minister Dr Conor Cruise O’Brien.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the tributes, praising the “sizeable impact” which Dr Cruise O’Brien had made in the public service, politics, academia and journalism.

Mr Cowen said Dr Cruise O’Brien, who celebrated his 91st birthday last month, was a man of “strong intellect [and] strong convictions”, who held views “not always in accordance” with his own party, Fianna Fáil.