Bernard Cowen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bernard F. "Ber" Cowen (29th January 1932–24th January 1984) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was elected five times to Dáil Éireann.

[edit] Early life and education

Ber Cowen was born in Clara, County Offaly in January, 1932, the son of Christopher Cowen, a Fianna Fáil county councillor for Clara, County Offaly, from 1932 until his death in 1967. He was educated at the Christian Brothers school in Tullamore.

His son, Brian Cowen was elected in the subsequent by-election and is currently the Irish Minister for Finance. Barry Cowen, another grandson of Christopher Cowen, is currently a Fianna Fáil county councillor for Clara, County Offaly.

[edit] Political career

Cowen worked as a publican and auctioneer before becoming involved in politics in 1967 when he was elected to Offaly County Council.

Cowen was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly in the 1969 General Election. He lost his seat in 1973 but was elected to Seanad Éireann. Cowen was re-elected in 1977 in his Laois-Offaly constituency. He was returned at each election until his death in 1984.

In the 1969 general election, he was elected to the 19th Dáil for the Laois-Offaly constituency, but was defeated when he stood for re-election in 1973 general election. He was then elected to the 13th Seanad by the Agricultural Panel.

In the 1977 general election, Cowen was elected to the 21st Dáil, again for Laois-Offaly. He was re-elected to the 22nd and 23rd Dáils, serving as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture from March to December 1982. He was re-elected again in the November 1982 general election, in which Fianna Fáil lost power. He died in 1984 before completing his term.

The consequent by-election for his seat in the 24th Dáil was won by his son, Brian Cowen, who is currently Minister for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Fianna Fáil party.

[edit] References

This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database