Brian Lenihan

:Brian Lenihan was the name of two Irish politicians, father and son, who held government office in the Republic of Ireland. For the son, who is currently active in Irish politics, see Brian Lenihan, Jr.

Liver Transplant

Lenihan's last period as Minister for Foreign Affairs was overshadowed by his serious ill-health. A long-standing liver problem present since childhood had developed into a life-threatening issue requiring a liver transplant. Lenihan, previously a large, overweight man had been reduced to a bone-thin jaundiced-looking shadow of his former self, so ill-looking that the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Tom King, said afterwards that on seeing Brian, a good friend of his, at one Anglo-Irish Conference meeting, he had speculated as to whether Lenihan would die at the meeting. In May 1989 Lenihan underwent the liver transplant in the Mayo Clinic in the United States. In his absence he was re-elected to the Dáil in the snap 1989 general election, after which, though retaining the post of Tánaiste he was moved to the physically less demanding post of Minister of Defence. Brian Lenihan returned with a new lease of life, speaking about his religious beliefs in an Irish religious magazine. When Brian entered the Dáil chamber he received an ovation, an indication of his personal cross-party popularity.

Related Topics:
Tom King - May - 1989 - United States - 1989 general election

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It was revealed subsequently that Brian Lenihan's operation was partly paid for through fundraising by Taoiseach Charles Haughey from senior businessmen with Fianna Fáil links. In evidence to a tribunal investigating Haughey's finances5 it was suggested that some of the money raised but not ultimately needed for the operation was redirected by Haughey into his own personal bank account.

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