Death of Joe Bruton

Death of Joe Bruton The death has occurred of Mr Joe Bruton, Dunboyne, a former high profile figure in the National Farmers Association (later IFA), and father of politicians John and Richard Bruton. Mr Bruton was due to celebrate his 100th birthday on Monday, 2nd March. A member of a well-known Dunboyne farming family, his involvement in national farming politics began in the 1960s when he was asked by the then Agricultuire Minister, Charles Haughey, to examine the livestock export trade. He later gained prominence when involved in commanding the blockades of five bridges over the Boyne and roadblocks during the Farmers' Rights Campaigns of the 1960s. Mr Bruton served as the cattle exporters' representative on the Dublin Port and Docks Board for many years and served two terms as its chairman. His son, John, was Taoiseach from 1994-1997 and is currently the EU Ambassador to Washington. Richard, the Fine Gael front bench spokesperson on finance, is TD for Dublin North Central; and daughter Mary runs a montessori school in Dublin, Mr Bruton's wife, Doris, a member of the Delany family of Drumree, predeceased him three years ago.