Sudden death of Shane McEntee TD

Tributes have been offered at the death of Fine Gael Minister of State Shane McEntee, whose sudden passing was announced today (Friday, December 21). In a statement released shortly after midday, the government said, "our thoughts and prayers are with Shane's family and friends at this deeply sad time." Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Food, Horticulture & Food Safety, Mr McEntee was a farmer from Castletown, Nobber, Co Meath, and had very strong links with the agricultural sector along the Cavan-Meath border and through his wife, Kathleen, who hailed from the Kingscourt area. IFA President John Bryan said the farming community is "shocked beyond belief at the tragic death". "Shane McEntee was a decent, hard-working public representative and farmers were very proud of his appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for forestry last year. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents and the farming community to find solutions," he said. "Shane and his father Tony before him were hugely committed to IFA's work in improving the conditions of farm families, and this was appreciated the length and breadth of the country." On behalf of the IFA membership, John Bryan expressed his deepest sympathy to Shane's wife, Kathleen, his children, Vincent, Helen and Sally; his mother Madge, and brothers and sister. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Gabriel Gilmartin said: "Shane McEntee had an acute understanding of the farming sector and worked hard during his tenure as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time." O'Reilly 'shocked' Fine Gael party colleague Deputy Joe O'Reilly said he was "absolutely shocked" at the news. "It couldn't have come at a worse time of year and my heart goes out to his wife, Kathleen, and his family. Shane was a very committed public representative, he was extremely dedicated and had boundless energy and enthusiasm for everything he did. "He was someone with great personal generosity and one of the most big-hearted men I have ever known and I think that will be my abiding memory of him." The 56-year-old married father-of-three was first elected to the Dáil in 2005, in the by-election caused by the appointment of John Bruton to the post of EU Ambassador in Washington. He retained his seat in Meath East in 2007 and 2011, when he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, with responsibility for Food, Food Safety and Horticulture. He was a farmer for 15 years before becoming a full-time politician, as well as an agricultural sales representative. He was hugely involved in numerous voluntary organisations, particularly the GAA. He has trained a number of football teams, including the Meath Minors, and has had success at county level on six occasions. He was extremely popular in Fine Gael circles and his generosity of spirit was universally admired across the political divide.