Hugh Byrne (Fine Gael politician) facts for kids

Hugh Byrne (5 July 1939 – 22 April 2023) was an Irish politician from Dublin. He was a member of the Fine Gael political party. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for 13 years. A TD is like a member of parliament in Ireland.

Who Was Hugh Byrne?

Hugh Byrne was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 5 July 1939. He grew up to become a medical doctor, known as a GP. Later in his life, he decided to enter politics.

Starting in Politics

Hugh Byrne first ran for a seat in Dáil Éireann, which is the Irish parliament, in 1969. He was successful on his very first try! He won a seat in the 1969 general election. He became a TD for the Dublin North-West area. This area is called a constituency.

His Time as a TD

Hugh Byrne kept his seat in the Dáil after the 1973 general election. The areas that TDs represented sometimes changed. After some boundary changes, he was re-elected in the 1977 general election for a new area called Dublin Cabra.

When the Dublin Cabra area was no longer a separate constituency for the 1981 general election, he was elected again for a new Dublin North-West constituency.

After Politics

In January 1982, the government at the time, led by Garret FitzGerald's Fine Gael and the Labour Party, changed. Because of this, another election was held in February 1982. Hugh Byrne lost his seat in this election. He lost to Proinsias De Rossa.

He tried to win his seat back in the November 1982 general election, but he was not successful. After that, he decided not to run for election again. Hugh Byrne then went back to his first career as a medical doctor.

Hugh Byrne passed away on 22 April 2023, when he was 83 years old.