Kildare TD leads tributes to former Taoiseach Cosgrave who passed away yesterday

Kildare South TD and Chair of the the Fine Gael party, Martin Heydon, has paid tribute to former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave who passed away.

Mr Cosgrave passed away yesterday, aged 97, and will be remembered for helping to lead a successful Fine Gael-Labour coalition from 1973-77, along with his unwavering protection of Irish nationalism at a time when paramilitary forces such as the IRA were causing chaos in the north.

Son of W.T Cosgrave, Liam was the last remaining link to the men who helped to found the Irish State.

“On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party I extend our deepest sympathies to the Cosgrave family," stated Deputy Heydon.

“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.”