Former taoiseach of Ireland John Bruton has died following a long illness, APA reports citing the Irish Times.
He was 76. Mr Bruton, who was the Fine Gael leader from 1990 to 2001, led the Rainbow Coalition government, which also involved Labour and Democratic Left, between December 1994 and June 1997.
He was not returned to power in 1997, when Bertie Ahern’s Fianna Fáil won the first of three straight general elections, but stayed on as party leader for another four years.
The former Meath TD went on to serve as the EU’s ambassador to the US from 2004 to 2009.
A statement from the Bruton family, released by Fine Gael on Tuesday, said: “It is with deep sadness we wish to announce the death of former Taoiseach John Bruton.
“He died peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, surrounded by his loving family, early this morning following a long illness.
“He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot.
“We will miss him greatly.
“John is survived by his wife, Finola, son Matthew and daughters; Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, grandchildren, sons-in-law, his brother, Richard and sister, Mary, nieces, nephews, many cousins and extended family.”
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