Dr Pat Upton, who died yesterday, greatly resented being once described as "an interloper from Clare" who had taken a Dublin Dail seat. He had, he said, lived in Dublin for more than 30 years and had served the city as a councillor, senator and TD.
It was a measure of his ability to communicate that he could be reared in Kilrush and yet represent people in one of the most working-class Dublin constituencies, encompassing impoverished areas of the south inner city.
It was even more remarkable that he held his Dublin South Central seat against considerable competition in 1997, when support for Labour was ebbing on the Spring tide.
Described by Labour's general secretary, Mr Ray Kavanagh, as "coming from the tradition of Frank Cluskey . . . a man of decency who cared for the poor", he was also recognised across the party divide for his wry wit and irreverent view of society's icons.
Dr Upton was born in Kilrush, Co Clare, in September 1944. He was educated at St Flannan's College, Ennis, and later at UCG and UCD, where he studied agricultural science and completed a doctorate in nutrition. In addition to being a Dail deputy he was a lecturer in the Veterinary College in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
He entered local politics in 1991 and was elected to Dublin County Council. Two years earlier he had become a senator. He was first elected to the Dail in 1992 and was re-elected in June 1997. As a TD, he was a member of a number of Oireachtas committees, including the influential Committee of Public Accounts.
The recent reshuffle of the Labour Party's front bench saw him move from the justice portfolio to become spokesman on communications and sport.
Although he left Clare after finishing at St Flannan's College, he maintained a vibrant interest in hurling, football and politics in the county.
Dr Upton's independence of mind often brought him into conflict with the ambitions of the Labour leadership. Most recently, he openly opposed the merger between Labour and Democratic Left and bluntly told delegates at a conference in the National Concert Hall that the party he joined "will be no more if the motion before us is carried". In his view, the new union narrowed the options for left-wing voters.
Much earlier, in April 1993, he strongly advised the Parliamentary Labour Party against coalition with Fianna Fail which, he warned, would damage the party. He repeated that view with growing certitude throughout the lifetime of the coalition and his prediction eventually came to pass in June 1997.
When Mr Dick Spring stepped down after the presidential election Dr Upton supported Mr Ruairi Quinn's bid to replace him.
His own entry to national politics came in 1989, when he was elected to the Seanad. He had been close to the late Frank Cluskey. After initially failing to secure a Dail seat as a by-election candidate in Dublin South Central, he was successful in the 1992 general election. He was also elected to the Council of Europe.
His extensive academic training provided Dr Upton with a deep knowledge of food safety standards and he lobbied strenuously for the establishment of a statutory safety board to protect consumers.
Dr Upton was taken ill at the Vetinerary College yesterday morning and was pronounced dead at St Vincent's Hospital. It is believed that he suffered a heart attack. His death brings to three the number of TDs who have died during the lifetime of this Dail. His Labour colleague, Mr Jim Kemmy, died at the end of 1997, and Mr Hugh Coveney, of Fine Gael, died almost a year ago.
Dr Upton's remains will be removed tomorrow afternoon from his home to the Church of St Pius X, Terenure, arriving at 5 p.m. Burial is at Bohernabreena Cemetery after 10 a.m. Mass on Thursday.