Former Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen dies aged 79

Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to the former Fine Gael Cork North Central TD and Minister of State, Bernard Allen, who has died.

Mr Allen was 79 and retired from politics in 2011.

During his political career he served as Lord Mayor of Cork, Chair of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee and as a junior Minister.

In a statement, Simon Harris said that it was with “great sadness” that he learned of Mr Allen’s death.

Mr Harris described Bernard Allen as a man with “endless reserves of wisdom and wit, who knew the perfect time to deploy the right amount of either. He was a beloved colleague in Fine Gael and beyond, a proud Corkman and a good friend”.

Minister of State and TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, described Bernard Allen as a “great friend”.

He paid tribute to Mr Allen’s work in developing sport infrastructure in Cork city, adding that Bernard Allen had served on the board of Sport Ireland for many years.

“Additionally, he played an important role in the creation of Munster Technological University by chairing the committee charged with its creation,” Mr Burke said.

Bernard Allen is survived by his wife Marie and their children, Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre.