Shane McEntee

Shane McEntee (19 December 1956 – 21 December 2012) was an Irish Fine Gael politician.^[1] He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath and later Meath East constituencies from 2005 to 2012, he also served as Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety from 2011 to 2012.

Early life and family

McEntee was born in the village of Nobber in County Meath. He had seven siblings. His father Tony died in March 2011 at the age of 86 while his mother Madge outlived him.^[2]

He became an active a member of Fine Gael when he joined the party at the age of 15. Before being elected, McEntee worked as a farmer and agricultural sales representative. He ran the "Dee Local Bar".

McEntee was also very involved in the Gaelic Athletic Association, both as a player (until an injury ended his promising career) and training numerous teams. He was a brother of Gerry McEntee, the All-Ireland winning Meath footballer and surgeon.

He was married with three daughters and a son.^[3] His daughter Helen McEntee succeeded him as TD for Meath East after his death.

Politics

A close friend of Taoiseach Enda Kenny,^[4] McEntee's election candidacy began in 2004 when he was selected as the Fine Gael candidate in the Meath by-election, which was triggered by the resignation from Dáil Éireann of Fine Gael's former leader, John Bruton. Polling was on 11 March 2005, and McEntee narrowly beat the Fianna Fáil candidate Shane Cassells, and was elected to the 29th Dáil.

McEntee was re-elected at the 2007 and 2011 general elections.^[5] He was the Fine Gael deputy spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Food and Fisheries from 2007 to 2011. On 10 March 2011, he was appointed as the Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety.

McEntee was also a successful campaigner on behalf of families in counties Dublin, Meath and Kildare whose homes had been damaged by pyrite in stone used in the foundations.

During the 2010 Fine Gael leadership heave McEntee gave an impassioned speech in defence of party leader Enda Kenny.^[6]

Death

McEntee committed suicide on 21 December 2012, two days after his 56th birthday.^[7][8][9] McEntee had been feeling under pressure because of criticism of a number of Government budgetary decisions. ^[2] His funeral took place on 24 December 2012.

The by-election for his seat was held on 27 March 2013, and was won by his daughter Helen McEntee.^[10]

See also

• Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil

References