Background
Vincent Brady was born in Dublin in 1936.
Vincent Brady was born in Dublin in 1936.
He served under Taoiseach Charles Haughey as Government Chief Whip (1987–1991) and Minister for Defence (1991–1992). He was a company director of a Machinery Distribution Company which he founded in 1970 before embarking on a career in politics. Brady was first elected to Dáil Éireann at his first attempt at the 1977 general election for the Dublin North–Central constituency.
He was re-elected to the Council in 1985 having topped the poll in Dublin Clontarf receiving the highest vote in the country.
In 1979 Fianna Fáil faced its first leadership election since 1966. lieutenant was a straight choice between Charles Haughey and George Colley.
He continued to back Haughey during the three heaves against him in the early 1980s. In 1987 Fianna Fáil were back in power and Brady was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Defence, the Government Chief Whip.
He served in that position until November 1991, when he joined the cabinet as Minister for Defence.
He remained in that position until February 1992 when Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach and sacked Brady along with many other senior ministers who had served under Haughey. Brady retired from politics at the 1992 general election. Following his retirement from politics he concentrated on continued development of his Distribution business.
Two years later he became involved in local politics when he was elected to Dublin City Council. In 1984 Brady joined the front bench of the party as Chief Whip.
During the early 1980s he was a member of the Council of Europe.