At a time when various politicians throughout the world are constantly discrediting themselves by exploiting the gravy train of benefits paid for by taxpayers, or by indulging in unacceptable sexual behaviour and outright corrupt practices, it is refreshing to read about politicians whose life is a celebration of courage. One such politician was Brian Lenihan, a former Irish Minister of Finance who died recently at the age of 52.

Lenihan discovered that he had pancreatic cancer in December 2009. His ordeal soon became public as the Irish media asked whether he was still fit to lead this important ministry when Ireland was facing a monumental financial crisis. After a few weeks in which he reviewed the prognosis of his terminal disease, he returned back to his duties in January 2010.

On his first appearance in the Irish Dail (Parliament) he did not want sympathy. He only asked for one thing from the opposition: “Aggressive intervention” on the plans that he was presenting to rescue Ireland from economic disaster. His wish was granted as throughout 2010 Lenihan, together with the Fianna Fail government, were pillared by the media and the opposition for bringing the country to such a pitiful state after years of complacency about the excesses of the banking system that created a property bubble that eventually burst.

Lenihan came from a family that produced various politicians who served in the Irish Parliament. Educated in Trinity, Cambridge and King’s Inns, he was often described as academically brilliant. But he was also likeable and charming, never afraid to face the aggressive media, but also able to enjoy a good drink with friends as most Irishmen do. He could also be conceited and, like most of us, he was far from perfect.

As his party and country faced meltdown, he was constantly focusing not on his terminal illness, but on how he could pull Fianna Fail and Ireland from the brink of disaster. As one Irish journalist said: “Brian had the generosity to make it easy for us to forget that he was dying”.

I often wonder how a person should react when told that he faces death in a few months time because of a terminal illness. The sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the pain that these bring with them are a sure reminder to such a person that it is time to wind up any unfinished business.

Many terminally ill people may choose to retire in the privacy of their family to enjoy the warmth and support that can only come from those who appreciate them for being who they are, rather than for what they can squeeze out of them. Others will slowly, but surely, detach themselves from worldly concerns and take time “to smell the roses and walk the mountains”.

But Lenihan chose to tread the road of courage. Another Irish journalist commenting on Brian’s death remarked: “The beginning, middle and end of all courage is personal courage. And you take your courage where you find it.” Lenihan knew the seriousness of his terminal disease and yet he found a sense of urgency and clarity about the actions he had to take to save his country.

A few weeks before his death, he described how he was bullied by the IMF, the European Commission and the ECB in the bailout negotiations where he tried to secure the best deal for his country in the face of enormous difficulties.

He made sure that his countrymen knew as little as possible about the pain and discomforts that he was suffering. I still remember seeing him on TV wearing a beige coat, looking unwell, walking in for the bailout talks in Brussels.

In the general elections held in Ireland earlier this year Fianna Fail were humiliated and decimated by the electorate. Yet, Lenihan who was often linked to his party’s failure to prevent this crisis was re-elected. Just before the elections he even considered contesting the leadership of his party when Brian Cowen decided to quit the party leadership. Sitting in a hotel lobby during a Fianna Fail think-in with a number of journalists discussing whether he would contest the leadership, Lenihan is quoted as saying: “For goodness sake, I’m dying” while he put down his glass of red wine.

Brian Lenihan was an inspiration to ordinary people. For them he was an icon of courage in a world that often finds little to admire in politicians.

jcassarwhite@yahoo.com

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