Brian O'Shea (politician)
Brian O'Shea | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State | |
| 1994–1997 | Health |
| 1993–1994 | Agriculture, Food and Forestry |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1989 – February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Waterford |
| Senator | |
| In office 25 April 1987 – 15 June 1989 | |
| Constituency | Industrial and Commercial Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 December 1944 Waterford, Ireland |
| Died | 28 January 2026 (aged 81) Waterford, Ireland |
| Party | Labour Party |
| Spouse |
Eileen Walsh (m. 1978) |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | St Patrick's College, Dublin |
Brian O'Shea (9 December 1944 – 28 January 2026) was an Irish Labour Party politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of Health from 1994 to 1997 and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine from 1993 to 1994. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Waterford constituency from 1989 to 2011.[1]
Life and career
O'Shea was born in Waterford on 9 December 1944. He was educated at Mount Sion CBS, Waterford and St Patrick's College, Dublin. O'Shea worked as a teacher before entering politics. He was elected to Tramore Town Council in 1979, and in 1985 was elected to Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council. He served on these local authorities until 1993.
He first stood for election to Dáil Éireann at the February 1982 general election but was unsuccessful. He stood again at the November 1982 and 1987 general elections but was not elected on either occasion. O'Shea was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1987 as a senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel. Two years later, at the 1989 general election he was first elected to the Dáil for the Waterford constituency.[2]
In 1993, O'Shea was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with responsibility for Food and Horticulture. In 1994, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Handicap, Public Health and Food Safety. He was party spokesperson for Defence (1997–1998); Education; Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Communications and Sport (1998–2002); Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (2002–2007); and Defence and the Irish language (2007–2011).
O'Shea retired from politics at the 2011 general election.[3]
O'Shea died on 28 January 2026, at the age of 81.[4][5][6]
References
- ^ "Brian O'Shea". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ "Brian O'Shea". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ "Labour's O'Shea will not contest election". RTÉ News. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ^ "Former Waterford TD and Labour stalwart Brian O'Shea passes away aged 81". Waterford News & Star. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Death notice of Brian O'Shea". RIP.ie. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Former minister and Labour TD Brian O'Shea dies aged 81". RTÉ News. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.