The death took place in Dublin yesterday of Mr Joe Christle. Formerly a prominent figure in the republican movement, he was the head of one of Ireland's most famous sporting families and the father of international boxers Terri, Joe and Mel Christle.
A noted racing cyclist, Mr Christle qualified as a solicitor after graduating in law at UCD in the 1950s. He lectured in law at the then College of Commerce in Rathmines.
His republican politics led to his joining the IRA. He was regarded as one of the protagonists of the 1956-1962 Border campaign.
The late Mr Christle is described in J. Bowyer Bell's The Secret Army as typical of the Dublin IRA men of the 1950s, "young, dedicated and single-minded".
In 1953 he was involved in the planning of a raid on the Officers' Training Camp in Felstead in Essex. Two years later he was part of a 16-man raid on the Royal Fusiliers barracks in Omagh.
As a night student in UCD in December 1954, Mr Christle organised the National Students Council, sympathetic to republican views.
His success as a cyclist and his contacts all over the country gave him a name few volunteers had.
However, Mr Christle quickly became a dissident and was subsequently dismissed by the then leadership of Sinn Fein. Following his dismissal, he set up a meeting at the Queen's Hotel in Dalkey and organised a separate Oglaigh na hEireann.
Mr Christle is survived by his wife, Marie, and his sons.
His funeral takes place in Dublin this evening from Beaumont Hospital to the Church of Adam and Eve, Merchant's Quay.
Mr Christle will be buried on Monday in Kilmessan Cemetery, Co Meath.