Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith has paid tribute to his former colleague Dr Rory O'Hanlon following his passing yesterday at the age of 92.
The former Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD was born in Dublin in 1934 and grew up in Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh, before graduating in medicine from University College Dublin in 1959.
In 1965, the Local Appointments Commission sent him to work as a General Practitioner (GP) in Carrickmacross, where he worked for the County Council.
He served on the North Eastern Health Board from 1971 to 1987, Monaghan County Council from 1979 to 1987, and was also Chair of the Fianna Fáil's Monaghan County Executive.
Dr Rory O'Hanlon served as the Irish Minister for Health from 1987 to 1991.
He was first elected to the Dáil in 1977 and later served as Minister for the Environment (1991- 1992) before retiring in 2010.
Local TD Brendan Smith worked with Dr O'Hanlon and was very saddened to learn of the passing of his good friend and long time colleague in politics, offering his sympathy to Rory's wife Teresa and all the family at this very sad time.
He told Northern Sound: "To Rory’s wife Teresa, their children Fiona,Rory, Ardal,Neale, Shane and Derbhla, his sister Sr. Fionnuala and extended family my sincere condolences at this sad time.
"Rory was a powerful, committed, hard working and diligent public representative who served his constituency and country with great distinction. He was always a good friend, close and loyal colleague and a team player in the constituency and in Dáil Éireann.
