Former minister and Waterford TD Brian O'Shea dies aged 81

Brian O'Shea in 2007. He will repose at Thompson's Funeral Home, Barrack St, Waterford on Friday from 7pm. File picture

Former Waterford TD and minister Brian O'Shea has died at the age of 81.

The Labour Party TD and former national school teacher died peacefully in the care of the staff of Killure Bridge Nursing Home, "surrounded by his loving family".

Mr O'Shea, who was from Tramore, served as a TD for Waterford from 1989 until 2011, and as a senator for three years prior to his election to the Dáil.

He was appointed as a minister of state at the Department of Agriculture in 1993, serving under then taoiseach Albert Reynolds in a government made up of a Fianna Fáil and Labour coalition.

The following year, Mr O'Shea was appointed as a minister of state at the Department of Health in John Bruton's Rainbow Coalition.

He survived by his wife Eileen, sons John and Paddy, daughters Christine, Anne, Siobhán, and Mary, brother Seán, his 12 grandchildren, and his extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik led the tributes to Mr O'Shea, saying he had "a distinguished national career in politics".

"He was a thoughtful, considered and respected politician, inspired by public service and committed to politics as a noble profession," Ms Bacik said.

Brian was a long serving politician for Waterford, and his county was always foremost in his political thoughts, with a strong focus on job creation, health issues, and regional economic development.

She said: “One of the highlights of his time in national politics was no doubt his service as a minister of state, first in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine from 1993, with responsibility for food and horticulture, and then later in the Department of Health from 1994 to 1997 with responsibility for disability, public health and food safety.

“As a politician, Brian was also deeply committed to local government, serving on the then Waterford Corporation, Waterford County Council and Tramore Town Commissioners. Uniquely, he was elected to all three local authorities in 1985, securing a seat on three different local authorities. He went on to be re-elected in 1991, topping the poll in both the Tramore ward of Waterford County, as well as the Waterford City No. 3 ward."

Ms Bacik said Mr O'Shea "was committed to the Labour Party where he had many friends".

He served as Party Chairperson from 2007 up until 2012, and, even in retirement he continued "to serve loyally as a Party Trustee for many years".  

Mr O'Shea will repose at Thompson's Funeral Home, Barrack St, Waterford on Friday from 7pm. His funeral cortege will walk from his residence on Saturday to the Holy Cross Church, Tramore, Co Waterford for Requiem Mass on arrival at 10am followed by burial in St Declan’s Cemetery, Riverstown, Tramore.