Michael Finneran (Longford-Roscommon, Fianna Fail)

I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of the untimely death of my good friend and fellow county man, Seán Doherty. I extend my deep sympathy to his wife, Maura, and daughters, Councillor Rachel Doherty, Cara, Leah and Evelyn, and to the extended Doherty family.

Seán Doherty was a political and personal friend of mine for more than 20 years. I had the privilege to serve with him on Roscommon County Council and we were both elected to Seanad Éireann on the administrative panel in 1989. Seán was elected as Cathaoirleach that year. He had served as a Dáil Deputy for Roscommon since 1977. As has been said, during his tenure in the Dáil, Seán served as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and was appointed Minister for Justice, serving until September 1982. In 1992, Seán was re-elected to Dáil Éireann and served for a further ten years until his retirement from politics in 2002. I had the privilege of retaining Seán's seat in Dáil Éireann in the general election of that year.

Seán Doherty was a stalwart in Fianna Fáil. He served the people of Roscommon with distinction. He had an innate ability to politically weigh up any given situation and respond appropriately, with wit and humour and a tremendous turn of phrase that was uplifting for his supporters and unsettling for his opponents. The people of Roscommon will have very fond memories of Seán Doherty and all there will miss him sadly. His wife, family and extended family will miss him most. We in the Fianna Fáil Party in County Roscommon miss him greatly. At meetings all through the county in recent weeks, tributes have been paid and meetings adjourned and cancelled in honour of Seán Doherty. May he rest in peace.

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