Brian Lenihan, former Irish finance minister, dies at 52

Lenihan, who signed Ireland’s bailout package, had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2009 Ireland finance minister during the country’s fiscal crisis, Brian Lenihan, has died of pancreatic cancer, it was announced on Friday. Lenihan was returned as Dublin TD for the Republic’s main opposition party, Fianna Fáil, which sustained historic losses in the Irish general election last February. During his time as finance minister, the 52-year-old agreed the 100% bank guarantee and signed the bailout deal with the IMF, the EU and the European Central Bank. He was a member of a political dynasty: his father, Brian, his brother, Conor, and his aunt, Mary O’Rourke, all served in Irish governments. Lenihan had been fighting cancer since December 2009. He had undergone intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at the Mater hospital in Dublin. He had also served as minister for justice and minister for children in previous Fianna Fáil administrations. Since the party left government in March, he had continued to act as Fianna Fáil finance spokesman. He is survived by his wife and two children. Ireland Europe Financial crisis European Central Bank Henry McDonald guardian.co.uk

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