John P. Wilson

For other people named John Wilson, see John Wilson (disambiguation).

John P. Wilson
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Tánaiste
In office 13 November 1990 – 12 January 1993
Preceded by	Brian Lenihan
Succeeded by	Dick Spring
Minister for Defence
In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993
Preceded by	Vincent Brady
Succeeded by	David Andrews
Minister for the Gaeltacht
In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993
Preceded by	Charles Haughey
Succeeded by	Michael D. Higgins
Minister for the Marine
In office 12 July 1989 – 11 February 1992
Preceded by	Brendan Daly
Succeeded by	Michael Woods
Minister for Tourism and Transport
In office 31 March 1987 – 12 July 1989
Preceded by	Ray MacSharry
Succeeded by	Séamus Brennan
Minister for Communications
In office 10 March 1987 – 31 March 1987
Preceded by	Jim Mitchell
Succeeded by	Ray Burke
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs
In office 9 March 1982 – 14 December 1982
Preceded by	Patrick Cooney
Succeeded by	Jim Mitchell
Minister for Education
In office 5 July 1977 – 30 June 1981
Preceded by	Peter Barry
Succeeded by	John Boland
Personal details
Born	8 July 1923(1923-07-08) Kilcogy, County Cavan, Ireland
Died	Dublin, Ireland
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Alma mater	National University of Ireland, University of London

John Patrick Wilson (8 July 1923 – 9 July 2007) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cavan in 1973 and served in Dáil Éireann until 1992. Wilson served variously as Minister for Education, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Tourism and Transport and Tánaiste.

Early life and Gaelic football

John Wilson was born in Mullahoran, County Cavan in 1923. He was educated at St. Mel's College in Longford, the University of London and the National University of Ireland. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Classics and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was a secondary school teacher at St. Eunan's College and Gonzaga College and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) before he became involved in politics. Wilson was also a Gaelic footballer for Cavan and won two All-Ireland medals with the team; one in 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York. He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.

Political career

Wilson was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 general election for the Cavan constituency, for Cavan–Monaghan in 1977 and at each subsequent election until his retirement after the dissolution of the 26th Dail in 1992. In 1977 Jack Lynch appointed Wilson to Cabinet as Minister for Education. He went on to serve in each Fianna Fáil government until his retirement, serving in the governments of Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds.

In 1990 Wilson challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil nomination for the 1990 presidential election. Lenihan won the nomination but failed to be elected President and was also sacked from the government. Wilson was then appointed Tánaiste. He remained in the cabinet until retirement in 1993. Although the 26th Dail was dissolved in December 1992, Wilson served in Government until the new government took office.

Retirement

Following his retirement from politics Wilson was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains by Bertie Ahern. This position entailed involvement with members of the Provisional IRA to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.

He died on 9 July 2007.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas – Diarmuid Wilson, a nephew, is currently a member of Seanad Éireann.

External links

• Friends we lost: Mr. John Wilson – Article at Hogan Stand

Oireachtas
Preceded by Patrick O'Reilly	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan 1973–1977	Succeeded by Constituency abolished
New constituency	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Cavan–Monaghan 1977–1992	Succeeded by Brendan Smith
Political offices
Preceded by Peter Barry	Minister for Education 1977–1981	Succeeded by John Boland
Preceded by Patrick Cooney	Minister for Posts and Telegraphs 1982	Succeeded by Jim Mitchell
Preceded by Jim Mitchell	Minister for Communications 1987	Succeeded by Ray Burke
Preceded by Ray MacSharry	Minister for Tourism and Transport 1987–1989	Succeeded by Séamus Brennan
Preceded by Brendan Daly	Minister for the Marine 1989–1992	Succeeded by Michael Woods
Preceded by Brian Lenihan	Tánaiste 1990–1993	Succeeded by Dick Spring
Preceded by Vincent Brady	Minister for Defence 1992–1993	Succeeded by David Andrews
Preceded by Charles Haughey	Minister for the Gaeltacht 1992–1993	Succeeded by Michael D. Higgins