A LEADING trade unionist and former chairman of the Labour Court, Mr Maurice Cosgrave, died in Dublin yesterday after a short illness.
Mr Cosgrave (74), was president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions from 1970-71 and served as chairman of the Labour Court from 1977-84.
He was also general secretary of the Post Office Workers' Union now the Communication Workers' Union, from 1966-73.
During a 50 year career in industrial relations, Mr Cosgrave also served on the ESB Industrial Council from 1985 to 1988. He played an important role in setting up the joint Civil Service pension scheme.
During his presidency of the ICTU in the early 1970s, he was involved in formulating policies on a variety of industrial relations issues, including secondary picketing. He was also involved in negotiating several national wage agreements.
Mr Cosgrave served with the Department in the Curragh during the Emergency from 1939-45.
He is survived by his five children, Father Raymond, Joe, Elizabeth, Brendan and Mary, as well as his five brothers and sisters. His wife Kit died in 1989.
His body will be brought to St Gabriel's Church, Dollymount, Dublin, at 5 p.m. today. The funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. tomorrow.