Former minister Gerard Collins dies aged 88

Updated / Sunday, 1 Nov 2026 14:39

Former Fianna Fáil minister and MEP Gerard Collins has died aged 88.

Mr Collins served as minister for foreign affairs, minister for justice and minister for posts and telegraphs. He served as TD for Limerick West from 1967 to 1997.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Collins' death, calling him a "good friend".

In a statement, Mr Martin said that Mr Collins "served with great distinction and ability".

"During his many decades of public service, Gerard Collins made an enormous contribution to Irish public life," he said.

"He was a politician of great substance and ability, who was in public life for all the right reasons: to serve and improve his country. He was a highly effective minister and was one of a generation of Irish public representatives who served with great selflessness and who left an enormous footprint."

The Taoiseach said that Mr Collins had a "critically important role in Fianna Fáil, a contribution he continued to make after his retirement from politics", adding that he served as the party's honorary secretary for many years and provided "great leadership and service" to him as party leader.

Mr Martin offered his sympathies to Mr Collins' widow Hilary and to his family, including his nephew, Minister Niall Collins.