Legendary Cork hurler and footballer and former Taoiseach Jack Lynch has died. Jack Lynch, 82, passed away at 7 o'clock on the morning of October 20th at the Royal Hospital in Dublin. He had been ill for some time. His remains will be taken to church in Rathgar tomorrow and subsequently to Cork for a full State funeral.
Jack Lynch was born on 15 August, 1917, near Shandon in Cork City. He won five All-Ireland Hurling Championship medals between 1941 and '46 and an All-Ireland football medal with Cork in 1945. He was elected Taoiseach on 10 November 1966 and held the position until March 1973. He also held the position from 1977 to 1979.
At the opening of business in the Dáil this morning, deputies stood for a minute's silence in memory of Mr. Lynch. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said Mr. Lynch would always be associated with his great feats of sportsmanship and his unique political charisma. The former Fine Gael Taoiseach, Dr. Garrett Fitzgerald, said in a statement that Mr. Lynch commanded the respect and affection of all who knew him. The Fianna Fáil National Executive has said that Jack Lynch was the epitome of all that is honourable in Irish politics and Fianna Fáil. A statement said that, as a legendary sportsman, he brought great joy, not just to his native Cork, but every fan of Gaelic hurling and football.
