05/10/2017

Former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave Dies Aged 97

The former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave has died at the age of 97.

Mr Cosgrave was elected the leader of Fine Gael in 1965 and held the post for eight years. He became the Irish prime minister in 1973.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD said: "I want to extend my condolences to the family and friends of former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave on his passing.

"I also want to express my sympathies with the leader of Fine Gael, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD and to the Fine Gael party on the death of their former leader."

Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon said: "On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party I extend our deepest sympathies to the Cosgrave family.

"Liam Cosgrave was a part of a pre-eminent Fine Gael family, an exceptional patriot following in the footsteps of his father W.T who laid the key foundations of the State. 

"Liam during his tenure as Fine Gael Party Leader and Taoiseach, showed great loyalty to the State and will be remembered for his staunch protection of the State's institutions at a very turbulent time in our nation's history. 

"He lived a long and full life, and it was a particular source of joy for us in Fine Gael that he got to share in our State centenary commemorations of 1916. 

"He was a decent and compassionate man brimming full of integrity, his public life was one of sacrifice for the common good and the State. 

"May he rest in peace."

(CD/LM)

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