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Seanad Éireann · 2026-09-22

Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad

CC Mark Daly · Administrative Panel

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We will be observing a minute's silence - and we will include the Senator's wife in that - in relation to a former Member of this House, Enda Bonner, who died over the summer. He served as a Member of this House from 1997 to 2002, and as a member of Donegal County Council from 1999 to 2019, representing the people of Glenties with dedication, integrity and distinction. He was also a great champion of the GAA and the Donegal senior football team.

He was well regarded not only in Donegal GAA circles but throughout the country. On behalf of Seanad Éireann, to his wife Phyllis, his children Elaine, Elizabeth and Patrick, grandchildren, sisters, extended family and friends and his colleagues in the Fianna Fáil party who mourn his sad loss, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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donegal 7
bonner 2
gaa 4
wife 4
minute's 2
enda 2
member 5
cup-winning 1
champion 2
sigerson 1
craughwell 2
sympathies 2

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CC Mark Daly this contribution

Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I extend my sympathies to Senator Craughwell on the sad passing of his wife during the summer. We all know that it had been a very difficult year for him and I know that all Senators were praying for him over the past number of weeks and months. On behalf of the House, I extend our sympathies to Senator Craughwell.

We will be observing a minute's silence - and we will include the Senator's wife in that - in relation to a former Member of this House, Enda Bonner, who died over the summer. He was a member of Donegal County Council. He served as a Member of this House from 1997 to 2002, and as a member of Donegal County Council from 1999 to 2019, representing the people of Glenties with dedication, integrity and distinction. He was widely respected across the political divide because of his tireless advocacy on behalf of the community he represented. He was hard-working, loyal and - like all Donegal people - resilient; qualities and characteristics he brought into his professional and public lives. He was a strong champion for rural, coastal and fishing communities, economic development and, of course, the Irish language.

Beyond politics, he was deeply rooted in the community. He was also a proud Dungloe man, a successful accountant and a senior partner in an accountancy practice in Letterkenny. He combined this professional career with his public and community service. He was also a great champion of the GAA and the Donegal senior football team. He was a graduate of University College Galway, where he captained the Sigerson Cup-winning team. His lifelong dedication to the GAA continued long after his playing days in his leadership as chairman and vice president of his club. He gave many years of service to Donegal GAA. He was well regarded not only in Donegal GAA circles but throughout the country. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he will be deeply missed by his family. On behalf of Seanad Éireann, to his wife Phyllis, his children Elaine, Elizabeth and Patrick, grandchildren, sisters, extended family and friends and his colleagues in the Fianna Fáil party who mourn his sad loss, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I welcome another Donegal man here today to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. The Minister of State, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, will also be joining us later to stand for a minute's silence in memory of the former Member of this House, Enda Bonner, and Senator Craughwell's wife as well.

I ask Members to be upstanding.

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