Sylvester Barrett
Sylvester Barrett | |
|---|---|
Member of European Parliament | |
| In office June 1984 – June 1989 | |
| Constituency | Munster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 May 1926 County Clare, Ireland |
| Died | 8 May 2002 (aged 75) County Clare, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse |
Mary Tubridy (m. 1952) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | St Flannan's College |
| Alma mater | University College Galway (did not finish) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Ireland |
| Branch/service | Irish Army |
| Rank | Cadet |
Sylvester Aidan Barrett (18 May 1926 – 8 May 2002) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.[1] He served under Jack Lynch and Charles Haughey as Minister for the Environment (1977–1980) and Minister for Defence (1980–1981).
Sylvester Barrett was born in Darragh, near Ennis, County Clare, in 1926.[2] His father Frank, who was a founder-member of Fianna Fáil, and his mother Delia Costello, both died in 1931. As a result, he was raised by an uncle and aunt.[2] His brother Fergus (Patrick) Barrett OFM, became a Franciscan priest, and founding rector of St John Vianney Seminary, Pretoria, South Africa. Barrett was educated at Ballyea National School and St Flannan's College in Ennis. He studied engineering at University College Galway, though did not complete his studies.[2] He was a cadet in the Irish Army and later worked as a rate collector and an auctioneer.[3]
He was elected to
Barrett supported George Colley in the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election. Charles Haughey was the eventual victor, but Barrett was retained in the cabinet in the Environment position. Following a reshuffle in 1980 he was appointed Minister for Defence. After the February 1982 general election Fianna Fáil were returned to office, but Barrett was not appointed to cabinet. However, he was appointed a Minister of State at the Department of Finance.
In October 1982, when Charlie McCreevy put down a motion of no confidence in Haughey's leadership, Barrett was the only Minister of State among the so-called Gang of 22 who supported it; Haughey survived, and did not dismiss Barrett from office.[2]
The following month he topped the poll at the November 1982 general election. Fianna Fáil were out of government again, and Barrett was appointed to the front bench as spokesperson on Defence. He remained there until 1984, when he won a seat in the Munster constituency at the European Parliament election and was replaced on the front bench by Noel Treacy. He did not contest either the 1987 general election or the 1989 European Parliament election, and retired from politics.[2] He died on 8 May 2002.
References
- ^ "Sylvester Barrett". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d e McElroy, Gerry. "Barrett, Sylvester Aidan". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Popular figure in domestic and European politics". The Irish Times. 11 May 2002. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Sylvester Barrett". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
External links
- Personal profile of Sylvester Barrett in the European Parliament's database of members