February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Irish Independent reported that Lenihan would make a statement in early January.
Reports have stated that the cancer was discovered when Lenihan was checked for a suspected hernia at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, this just shortly before Christmas, and just after he introduced his government’s toughest ever budget in the D_il.
Lenihan, the son of the late Brian Lenihan Sr. – one of the most prominent and popular figures in modern Irish politics – is married to Patricia Ryan, a judge. The couple has two children. Lenihan has been serving in the finance post since Taoiseach Brian Cowen vacated the position in mid-2008.
Lenihan was admitted to hospital on December 16 complaining of discomfort from a suspected hernia which was disrupting his sleep. He had been due for scheduled surgery a couple of days later, but visited the Mater ahead of this, the Irish Times reported.
In the days that followed, Lenihan continued working though he did not reveal, or hint, at any medical issue.
Brian Lenihan Sr., one of the leading figures in Fianna F_il over many years underwent a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in 1989. He died in 1995 at the age of 64. His son won the resulting by-election and became a TD the following year.
In the intervening years, Lenihan Jr., considered one of the most able politicians, both in his party and Irish politics in general, has steadily risen through his party ranks.