This article is from page 12 of the 2012-07-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
INTERNATIONAL rugby player, army officer, dairy farmer, president of the Irish Farmer’s Association, MEP and proud Clare man Paddy Lane passed away on Tuesday.
His death at the age of 77 brought to an end a busy life that impacted on many people and organisations.
Not only was the Parteen man the only Clare man to serve as national president of the IFA from 1976 to 1980, he also served as a Fianna Fáil MEP from 1989 to 1994.
Leading the tributes, IFA President John Bryan said Mr Lane led farmers at what was a difficult time economically, with high inflation and interest rates eroding farm incomes.
“Paddy Lane, who was a powerful voice for farmers, had a longstanding commitment to IFA and serving the farming community. He led a successful campaign of opposition to the then Minister for Finance George Colley’s notorious two per cent sales levy. Paddy Lane battled for better conditions and facilities for farmers, and a more receptive attitude in the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
As part of the farmers rights campaigns, he took part in the great march to Dublin in 1966. A year later, he and his neighbour John Doherty were sent to Limerick prison for a total of five weeks for civil disobedience, when they were singled out for following the then NFA’s advice on a go-slow campaign in paying rates.
“Earlier this year, the IFA conferred Honorary Life Membership on Paddy Lane at a meeting of the Clare IFA Executive, and I recall him being deeply honoured. On behalf of our membership, I want to extend our sympathies to his family.”
He also served as IFA Deputy President from 1974 to 1976.
The late Parteen man was also a member of the Fianna Fáil party and served Clare in Europe for five years.
Clare TD Timmy Dooley (FF) paid tribute to the East Clare man and sympathised with his family on behalf of the party.
Mr Lane was capped for the Irish rugby team in 1964 and had a distinguished rugby career with Old Crescent and Munster.
Paddy Lane was pre-deceased by his wife Carmel, and survived by his children Tommy, David and Liz.
He was laid to rest in Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery on Friday, following Requiem Mass in Parteen Church.