Taoiseach leads tributes to former Lord Mayor and Cork TD Bernard Allen following his death 

An Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris has led tributes to former Minister of State and TD for Cork North Central constituency, Bernard Allen, following his death. 

In a statement this afternoon, the Taoiseach said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Bernard Allen.

“Bernard was a pillar of his community, whose dedication and loyalty to the people he served were unmatched. 

"His career as a TD, which began in 1981 and spanned over 30 years, was marked by an unwavering commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of his constituents.

“Throughout his political career, he served as Lord Mayor of Cork, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Minister of State.

“Bernard was a man with endless reserves of wisdom and wit, who knew the perfect time to deploy the right amount of either. He was a beloved colleague in Fine Gael and beyond, a proud Corkman and a good friend."

He added:“To his wife Marie, their children, Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre, my deepest sympathy at this very difficult time.

“May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bernard Allen, who he had served with for many years on Cork City Council and Dáil Éireann.

"Bernard and I got on very well. We enjoyed the cut and thrust of local and national politics and worked together on a bipartisan level.

"He put the interests of Cork first, whether in the council or in the Dail during his 30 years as TD.

"A very popular Lord Mayor of Cork, Bernard was a tenacious chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and an effective Minister for Youth and Sport - a portfolio he loved," he said. 

Minister of State and TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke said that with the passing of Bernard Allen, Cork has lost a most accomplished public representative whose main focus and priority in all of his political career was to look after the interests of his constituents in Cork North Central. 

"Bernard was a true advocate for all the people he represented.

With the passing of Bernard Allen, Cork has lost a most accomplished public representative whose main focus and priority in all his political career was to look after the interests of his constituents in Cork North Central. Bernard was a true advocate for all the people he… pic.twitter.com/OBwBdjaV9h

— Colm Burke TD (@ColmBurkeTD) June 23, 2024

“He was pivotal in the development of lasting and sustainable sporting infrastructure in Cork City and served on the board of Sport Ireland for many years.

“Additionally, he played an important role in the creation of Munster Technological University by chairing the committee charged with its creation.

“On a personal level this is an incredibly sad day for me. In all aspects of my political career Bernard was a great friend, astute advisor and wonderful mentor.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Marie, his daughters Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre, and their extended family at this sad time.”

So very sad to hear of the passing of my friend and mentor Bernard Allen. To Marie and his daughters, I can’t imagine your grief. He was unique and our hearts are also broken in Cork North Central.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam https://t.co/YamyASqC7b

— Cllr Damian Boylan - Gone to Bluesky (@DamianBoylanFG) June 23, 2024

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Allen.

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Bernard Allen, a TD of 30 years experience and more particularly a former Lord Mayor of Cork.

"He was a public representative of strength and stature who served the city well, helping deliver vital sporting infrastructure and also playing a leading role in the establishment of Munster Technological University (MTU), “ he said.