Mr Martin O'Regan (49) of the Workers Party has died in Waterford. Last month he had cited health reasons for his decision to resign from the party. He died after a heart attack.
The Mayor of Waterford, Mr Davy Daniels, an independent, said Mr O'Regan's death was "a great shock". He had been a dedicated public servant. A Workers' Party colleague, Mr John Halligan, said there was "a deep sense of shock" in the party.