Gerry Collins: key obituary facts
Is Gerry Collins dead? Yes. Gerry Collins died on November 1, 2026, at age 88.
Cause of death: Gerry Collins's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Gerry Collins known for?
He was an Irish politician.
More about Gerry Collins
Born: 16 October 1938.
Place of birth: Abbeyfeale.
Gender: male.
Occupation: politician, diplomat.
Nationality: Ireland.
Education: University College Dublin.
Father: James Collins.
Also known as: James Gerard Collins.
Gerry Collins, the Irish politician who served twice as minister for foreign affairs and as a member of the European Parliament, died November 1, 2026, aged 88.
Born in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, in 1938, he was the son of James Collins, whose political career included election to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil candidate in 1948. James Collins had served as an adjutant of the West Limerick Brigade of the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence.
Gerry Collins was educated at St Ita’s College in Abbeyfeale and Patrician College in Ballyfin before studying at University College Dublin, where he served as secretary of the Kevin Barry Cumann of Fianna Fáil. Elected to Dáil Éireann in 1967, he represented Limerick West until 1997. His ministerial career included appointments as parliamentary secretary from 1969 to 1970, minister for posts and telegraphs from 1970 to 1973, and minister for justice from 1977 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 1989. He held the foreign affairs portfolio from March to December 1982 and from 1989 to 1992. After leaving the Dáil, Collins represented the Munster constituency in the European Parliament from 1994 to 2004.