Background
Wilson, John Patrick was born on July 8, 1923 in County Cavan, Ireland. Son of John and Brigid (Comaskey) Wilson.
minister politician Football player
Wilson, John Patrick was born on July 8, 1923 in County Cavan, Ireland. Son of John and Brigid (Comaskey) Wilson.
He was educated at Saint 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 first elected as a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) 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. He was a secondary school teacher at Saint Eunan"s College and Gonzaga College and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (University College Dublin) before he became involved in politics.
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. 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. Following his retirement from politics Wilson was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims" Remains by Bertie Ahern. He died on 9 July 2007.
He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association. This position entailed involvement with members of the Provisional Ireland Republican Army to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional Ireland Republican Army during The Troubles.
Married Ita M. Ward, April 6, 1953. Children– Siobhan, Clare, Lucy, John, Maria.
