THE TAOISEACH last night described himself as “in awe” of the late Dr Garret FitzGerald’s “mental capacity to think and act and cover such a broad spectrum”.
At the launch of a revised edition of the former taoiseach's best-selling autobiography Just Garret, Mr Kenny recalled how exactly 36 years ago to the night, Dr FitzGerald was in his own county, two days before a byelection. Mr Kenny said that "standing on a platform in Ballinrobe [Co Mayo] on a wet night", Dr FitzGerald had "an aura that was quite incredible".
The launch was hosted by journalist and friend of Dr FitzGerald, Olivia O’Leary. It was attended by his children John, Mark and Mary, and political figures including Minster for Finance Michael Noonan, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and former PD leaders Michael McDowell and Mary Harney.
The personal memoir was first published by Dr FitzGerald in December 2010, just months before his death last May 19th.
Publisher Seán O’Keeffe of Liberties Press said the new edition contained an essay by Dr FitzGerald about his wife Joan, an epilogue by his daughter Mary and the eulogy given at his funeral by his friend Fr Enda McDonagh.
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