Bernard Cowen | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State | |
| Mar.–Dec. 1982 | Agriculture |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office July 1977 – 24 January 1984 | |
| In office July 1969 – February 1973 | |
| Constituency | Laois–Offaly |
| Senator | |
| In office 1 June 1973 – 27 October 1977 | |
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1932-01-29)29 January 1932 Clara,County Offaly, Ireland |
| Died | 24 January 1984(1984-01-24) (aged 51) Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, includingBrian andBarry |
Bernard Francis Cowen (29 January 1932 – 24 January 1984) was an IrishFianna Fáil politician who served as aMinister of State from March 1982 to December 1982. He served as aTeachta Dála (TD) for theLaois–Offaly constituency from 1969 to 1973 and 1977 to 1984. He was aSenator for theAgricultural Panel from 1973 to 1977.[1]
Born inClara,County Offaly, the son of Christy Cowen, a cattle dealer and a Fianna Fáil member who served as a member ofOffaly County Council from 1932 until his death in 1967. Cowen was educated at Clara National School and subsequently attendedTullamoreCBS. After completion of his secondary schooling he worked in the family business which included a public house and a butcher shop. He later became an auctioneer.
Cowen first held political office in 1967, when he was co-opted onto Offaly County Council, following the death of his father. Later that year he headed the poll in the Tullamore area and retained his seat until his death.
Cowen was first elected toDáil Éireann as aFianna FáilTD forLaois–Offaly constituency at the1969 general election.[2] Fianna Fáil returned to government for the fourth successive time following a general election, however, as a new TD, Cowen remained on the backbenches. He lost his seat at the1973 general election as aFine Gael-Labour coalition government was formed. Cowen, however, was subsequently elected to the13th Seanad for theAgricultural Panel.
Cowen returned to the Dáil following the1977 general election, when Fianna Fáil returned to power in a landslide. Once again he remained on the backbenches.
In 1979,Jack Lynch resigned asTaoiseach andLeader of Fianna Fáil. Cowen supportedCharles Haughey's successful bid for the leadership, but failed to secure promotion to ministerial office.
A period of political instability followed with three general elections being held throughout 1981 and 1982. Cowen retained his seat in all of these elections. In March 1982, he was promoted to junior ministerial level, when he was appointedMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture with special responsibility for disadvantaged areas. He held that position until December of the same year, when Fianna Fáil lost office.
While attending a meeting of Offaly County Council in January 1984, Cowen was taken ill. He was taken toSt. Vincent's Hospital inDublin. He died several days later on 24 January 1984. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and three sons. The consequentby-election for his seat in the24th Dáil was won by his second son,Brian, who later served asTaoiseach from 2008 to 2011. In 2011, Bernard Cowen's youngest son,Barry, was elected to the seat previously held by his father and brother, having previously been anOffaly County Councillor for the Tullamore local electoral area.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture withLorcan Allen Mar.–Dec. 1982 | Succeeded by |