Tributes paid to ‘true gentleman’ McEntee

Politicians, fellow farmers, and sporting groups paid tribute to the late junior agriculture minister Shane McEntee, who yesterday died suddenly in tragic circumstances.

President Michael D Higgins said the 56-year-old had made an enormous contribution to community and public life, while Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was devastated by the death of his FG colleague, who served Meath East.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, who worked closely with Mr McEntee, said he was deeply shocked and saddened by his colleague’s death.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family at what must be an awful and difficult time,” said the minister.

Mr McEntee was found dead at his family home yesterday morning.

He had been expected to attend a gathering of TDs at a sports event the previous night, but did not turn up.

Many colleagues, from all sides of Leinster House, yesterday said the father of three had been a true gentleman and friend, as well as a hard worker.

Fine Gael party chairman Charlie Flanagan said: “Shane was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be a huge loss to the Fine Gael family and to everyone who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.”

Constituency colleague Labour’s Dominic Hannigan said: “Shane and I ran in three elections together and he was always a very honourable man during the election contest.”

Former party leader John Bruton, whose seat was taken over by Mr McEntee after a 2005 by-election, said his death would leave a gaping void in the life of his family, his county, and his country.

He added: “He was a man of unlimited emotional and practical commitment to any task he took on. It absorbed him totally. No effort was ever spared.”

Mr McEntee became impassioned by political issues at times, Dáil colleagues recalled yesterday.

On the morning of the failed heave against Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael in mid-2010, Mr McEntee had visited the grave of Michael Collins and said a prayer, before he later made a passionate speech supporting his party leader.

One Dáil colleague said yesterday that Mr McEntee and Mr Kenny were also good friends, adding: “They were solid, through sport and the fact they had both trained teams too.”

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Mr McEntee had been a true gentleman who commanded the genuine affection and respect of people on all sides of the House.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams expressed shock and sadness at the untimely death.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association both acknowledged Mr McEntee’s “acute understanding” of the farming sector and his hard work in his minister of state role.

The Irish Greyhound Board, for whose industry Mr McEntee had responsibility, described him as “extremely dedicated, whilst bringing great enthusiasm and energy to his role”.

All groups, colleagues, and officials said that their prayers and thoughts were with his wife Kathleen and their children.