‘He served with distinction’ – Taoiseach leads tributes to former TD John Browne

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has led tributes to former Carlow-Kilkenny TD John Browne following his death at the age of 82.

The Fine Gael TD served the constituency for 13 years until his retirement ahead of the 2002 general election.

Mr Browne was Fine Gael’s health spokesman for a period in the 1990s. He also spent time as a senator and served as his party’s spokesman on communications in the Seanad in the 1980s.

The Taoiseach said in a statement: “I was very sorry to learn of the death of a member of our Fine Gael political family, John Browne.”

Mr Varadkar said Mr Browne had served the people of Carlow-Kilkenny “and our country with distinction”.

The Taoiseach also spoke of the fluent Irish speaker’s “love of our language” which, he said “was evident in his many contributions in the Dáil and Seanad”.

Mr Varadkar said Mr Browne had helped to shape the party’s policies, and “made valuable contributions on a range of issues including European affairs, education, social welfare, the Irish language, criminal law, and overseas aid”.

Mr Browne’s remains will repose at St Mary’s Church, Benekerry, from 4pm this afternoon, with prayers at 8pm. Funeral Mass is at 2pm tomorrow.