Conor Cruise O'Brien dies

Tributes were paid tonight following the death of former government minister and journalist Conor Cruise O’Brien.

The ex-Labour Party TD, who was 91, served as Minister for Posts and Telegraph during the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in the 1970s.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Mr O’Brien was blessed with a strong intellect and was a man of strong convictions.

He added: “His political views were not always in accordance with those of my own party over the years but I never doubted his sincerity or his commitment to a better and more peaceful Ireland.”

Mr O’Brien was a history and literature graduate of Trinity College and the author of several books.

He joined the Civil Service in the early 1940s and later became a delegate to the UN Assembly.

In 1969, he was elected to the Dáil and became Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in 1973 but lost his seat in 1977.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said he was greatly saddened by Mr O’Brien’s death.

A strong critic of the IRA, Mr O'Brien banned members of Sinn Féin from being interviewed on RTÉ radio or television.

The Section 31 rule was not lifted by the Government until 1993.

After he lost his Dáil seat, Mr O’Brien was subsequently elected to the Séanad from 1977 to 1979.

Mr O’Brien was editor-in-chief of The Observer newspaper in Britain from 1979-1981 and also held visiting professorships and lectureships throughout the world.

A persistent opponent of ex-Taoiseach Charles Haughey, O’Brien coined the acronym GUBU (Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented), based on a statement by Haughey.

Mr Haughey was commenting on the discovery of a murder suspect in the apartment of the Government’s Attorney General Patrick Connolly.

In later life, Mr O’Brien was known for his pro-Unionist views and was a strong critic of the North's peace process.

He joined the United Kingdom Unionist Party in 1996 and was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum.

The Taoiseach said it was a reflection on Mr O’Brien’s wide array of talents that he was able to make a sizeable impact in the public service, in politics, in academia and journalism.

He added: “He has written thousands of articles on a wide range of subjects which highlight a great intellectual versatility. His articles were always challenging and passionate which is a measure of the man he was.

“I want to extend my deep sympathies to his family and friends.”