Death of Tony Gregory

a champion of the underdog in Irish society

Tá Gaeilgeoir a raibh croí mór maith aige básaithe i mBaile Atha Cliath. Slán le laoch

Tony Gregory Independent TD passed away peacefully today after a year's illness at the age of 61.

He was a champion of every good cause you could think of in Ireland throughout his life time.

He fought for better housing for the deprived. Author of the famous "Gregory Deal" in which he received unprecedented benefits for his deprived constituency in Central Dublin in return for his vote to make Charlie Haughey Taoiseach, he immediately astounded the Dáil by putting details of the Deal on the Dáil record. He warned that if the deal was reneged on, he would withdraw his vote.

He was a supporter of all anti-war activities, spoke at anti-war rallies, attended press conferences supporting the Pitstop Ploughshares, opposed the Lisbon Treaty, making a famous appearance on RTE after it had been defeated.
He was a defender of human rights for all the deprived sections of society. He served a short prison sentence for non-violently defending the Moore Street traders who were being rooted out of Moore Street

He fought for animal rights and succeeded in getting legislation against hare coursing accepted in the Dáil.

Ireland has lost a great champion and a powerful voice for justice