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Today marks the anniversary of John A Costello, former Taoiseach & AG of Ireland.
Costello was born in Fairview in 1891, and educated at St Joseph's CBS, UCD and Kings Inns. Called to the bar in 1914, Costello took silk in 1925 and served as WT Cosgrave's AG. Thread, 1/6.
Costello was born in Fairview in 1891, and educated at St Joseph's CBS, UCD and Kings Inns. Called to the bar in 1914, Costello took silk in 1925 and served as WT Cosgrave's AG. Thread, 1/6.
He was elected TD for Dublin in 1932 following the death of Thomas Finlay senior. Juggling the bar with public service, Costello proved a stalwart for Fine Gael during the party's wilderness years, starring in the Bunreacht na hÉireann and Emergency Powers Bill 1939 debates.
Costello is perhaps best remembered for the Inter Party governments of 1948-1951 and 1954-1957. Despite him not wanting the top job, Costello was to Republicans more suitable than Mulcahy, and reluctantly became Taoiseach, convinced by his friend, Arthur Cox, on a golf course.
His Governments repealed the External Relations Act, tackled tuberculosis, set up the VHI, co-founded the Council of Europe and joined the UN. They also saw the Mother & Child Scheme and the turbulent IRA Border Campaign of the mid 1950s.
Costello returned to the bar in the 60s. He successfully argued against closed shops in Fitzpatrick's case and practised to his death, representing Tara Mines aged 83 in 1975. He died in 1976, a Freeman of Dublin, a servant of Ireland and Fine Gael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
David McCullagh's magnificent book and documentary, the Reluctant Taoiseach, is to credit for most the above knowledge, it's one of the best books I have ever read 
for anyone interested in Fine Gael history, the bar or Irish politics generally, this is a must read.
for anyone interested in Fine Gael history, the bar or Irish politics generally, this is a must read.
