Former FF TD Colm Hilliard dies aged 65

A former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Colm Hilliard, has died suddenly aged 65.

Mr Hilliard represented Meath in the Dáil from 1982 until 1997, when he stood down. A son of a former government minister, the late Mr Michael Hilliard, he is survived by his wife Margaret and four children.

The Fianna Fáil chairman, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said his "untimely and early" death was a shock to all his party colleagues, who had known him for his love of sport and his "tremendous dedication to Co Meath".

The former Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said he was "absolutely devastated" to learn of Mr Hilliard's death. He had brought "boundless enthusiasm" to his work as a local TD, Mr Bruton said.

He added: "Colm Hilliard was above all a man with a warm heart. He felt intensely the sufferings of others, but equally he could share their successes with enthusiasm. He could accurately be described as a lovely man."

The Progressive Democrats' Mr Des O'Malley said he was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mr Hilliard, an energetic TD whose role as secretary of the Oireachtas golf society made him a popular figure across party lines.