Michael Fitzpatrick (Kildare politician)
Michael Fitzpatrick | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942-10-12 |
| Died | 2011-10-14 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1999–2011 |
| Known for | Teachta Dála for Kildare North (2007–2011) |
Michael Fitzpatrick (12 October 1942 – 14 October 2011) was an Irish politician affiliated with Fianna Fáil. He secured a seat as a Teachta Dála (TD) representing the Kildare North area during the 2007 general election, holding the position until 2011.
From 1999 until 2007, Fitzpatrick was a member of Kildare County Council for the Clane electoral division. Before entering politics, he served in the Garda Síochána between 1961 and 1972. Between 1992 and 2007, he acted as constituency manager in Kildare for former Finance Minister and European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy. Additionally, he fulfilled duties as mayor of Kildare.
In 2010, Fitzpatrick received a diagnosis of motor neurone disease. Despite this challenge, he expressed in The Irish Times his intention to continue fulfilling his role as a TD. He maintained communication with fellow politician Brian Lenihan Jnr, exchanging insights about their respective health conditions. Fitzpatrick also contributed by sharing information on his illness with the Irish Motor Neurone Research Foundation.
He was not re-elected at the February 2011 general election and passed away later that October. To honor his memory, Fianna Fáil decided to cancel its Wolfe Tone commemoration held at Bodenstown, County Kildare. His funeral service was conducted at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Allenwood, County Kildare.