Former Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen dies aged 79

Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to the former minister of state and Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen who has died.

The former TD for Cork North Central was aged 79.

His career as a TD began in 1981 and spanned over 30 years. He retired from politics in 2011.

Mr Harris said: “Bernard was a pillar of his community, whose dedication and loyalty to the people he served were unmatched.

“His career was marked by an unwavering commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of his constituents.

“Throughout his political career, he served as Lord Mayor of Cork, chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Minister of State.

“Bernard was a man with endless reserves of wisdom and wit, who knew the perfect time to deploy the right amount of either. He was a beloved colleague in Fine Gael and beyond, a proud Corkman and a good friend.

“To his wife Marie, their children, Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre, my deepest sympathy at this very difficult time.

“May he rest in peace.”

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was “deeply saddened” by Mr Allen’s death.

“Bernard and I got on very well. We enjoyed the cut and thrust of local and national politics and worked together on a bipartisan level,” Mr Martin said in a statement.

“He put the interests of Cork first, whether in the council or in the Dail during his 30 years as a TD.

“A very popular Lord Mayor of Cork, Bernard was a tenacious chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and an effective Minister for Youth and Sport – a portfolio he loved.”

Minister of State and TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke said that Mr Allen was a true advocate for all the people he represented.

“Cork has lost a most accomplished public representative whose main focus and priority in all of his political career was to look after the interests of his constituents in Cork North Central,” Mr Burke added.

“He was pivotal in the development of lasting and sustainable sporting infrastructure in Cork City and served on the board of Sport Ireland for many years.

“Additionally, he played an important role in the creation of Munster Technological University by chairing the committee charged with its creation.

“On a personal level this is an incredibly sad day for me. In all aspects of my political career Bernard was a great friend, astute adviser and wonderful mentor.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Marie, his daughters Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre, and their extended family at this sad time.”