Northern Ireland

Sean McEniff: Death of Ireland's longest serving public representative

Veteran Fianna Fáil politician Sean McEniff who passed away in a Dublin hospital
Veteran Fianna Fáil politician Sean McEniff who passed away in a Dublin hospital Veteran Fianna Fáil politician Sean McEniff who passed away in a Dublin hospital

FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin has led tributes to veteran politician Sean McEniff following his death yesterday afternoon.

Ireland’s longest serving public representative, the 81-year-old from Co Donegal had been unwell for some months since collapsing while on holiday.

A native of Bundoran, Mr McEniff was also one of the country’s best known businessmen and owned hotels in Bundoran, Letterkenny and Dublin.

He was a former chairman of Donegal County Council, which he served since first being elected as a Fianna Fáil member in 1967.

Named Donegal Person of the Year in 1996, he was also a former director of tourism body Bord Fáilte.

Mr McEniff collapsed into water while walking during a holiday in the Canary Islands last October.

He was placed in an induced coma before eventually being transferred back to hospital in Dublin, where he passed away.

Mr McEniff was a brother of former GAA manager Brian McEniff who led Donegal to its first ever All Ireland senior football title in 1992.

Mr Martin said he had great experience and expertise.

“Sean was a proud Donegal man and played an integral role in the promotion and development of business and tourism in the county and the north-west region."

Mr Martin said Mr McEniff was re-elected to Donegal county council seven times.

“This record alone is testament to the work he undertook across the community and the respect in which he was held by the people of Bundoran,” he said.

The chairman of Donegal County Council, Terence Slowey, also said Mr McEniff had been an institution in Donegal in terms of his public service and business interests.