Death announced of albert reynolds former taoiseach and longford westmeath td

The death has occurred of former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, from Longford, who represented the Longford Westmeath constituency in Dáil Éireann for 25 years.

Mr Reynolds was 81 years of age.

Seen as one of the architects of the Northern Ireland peace process, outside of politics, Mr Reynolds, who was a member of Fianna Fáil, was a highly successful bands promoter and businessman.

Born in Rooskey, and educated at Summerhill College in Sligo, Mr Reynolds set up a number of dance halls around the midlands, including the Horizon ballroom in Mullingar. He was also the face of the firm C&D Petfoods in Edgeworthstown, which gave significant employment in the area.  The firm now has its headquarters at the Marlinstown Business Park.

A father of seven, he and wife Maureen were held in high esteem, and Reynolds was liked particularly for the fact that he never lost touch with the party base in both Longford and Westmeath.

He was elected to Dáíl Éireann on his first attempt, in 1977, and two years later was appointed to his first portfolio, as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.  He later served as Minister for Transport, Minister for Industry and Energy, Minister for Industry and Commerce, Minister for Finance, and from 1992 to 1994, as Taoiseach.

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