Former Tipperary TD, Senator and EU Commissioner Michael O’Kennedy has died following a short illness – he was 86.
Paying tribute to Mr O’Kennedy the Taoiseach Micheal Martin says few people have left such a rich, or long, political legacy, or dedicated so much to Irish public life.
Mr O’Kennedy, a senior council, was first elected in 1969 representing the Fianna Fáil party.
Mr O’Kennedy served as a Minister in several portfolios. In 1997, he sought the Fianna Fáil nomination for President of Ireland, however, Mrs Mary McAleese became the party’s nominee.
Mr O’Kennedy retired from national politics in 2002 and returned to work as a barrister, subsequently becoming a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Mr O’Kennedy is survived by his wife Breda and children Brian, Orla and Mary.
Mr Kennedy’s funeral mass will take place at 1.30pm today at the Church of St. Mary of the Rosary, Nenagh, followed immediately afterwards by interment in Tyone Cemetery, Nenagh, County Tipperary.
