Former taoiseach Charles Haughey was warmly remembered by delegates at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis today.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was among those who wished one of the most controversial politicians in Irish history well, while delegates greeted a speaker who praised Mr Haughey with a standing ovation.
"Mr Haughey's a great man, he served his country well, always got into a bit of controversy but I'm certainly proud of Mr Haughey," Mr Ahern said before party members voted on a motion concerning their former leader.
Amid rapturous applause, Brian Jordan moved the motion on behalf of the Waterford Ogra organisation, which stated: "That this ardfheis sends its best wishes to the former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey."
He told a packed conference hall that Mr Haughey was an inspiration to Fianna Fáil members.
"We are proud," he exclaimed to whoops of delight. Quoting Shakespeare's Hamlet, Mr O'Connor told the hall: "He is a man, take him for all in all. We shall not look upon his like again."
The vast majority of delegates supported the the motion, although one voter drew the attention of chairperson Mary Coughlan to register the fact that he had voted against the motion when Ms Coughlan suggested it was passed unanimously.
Mr Haughey (80) was first elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1957 and held his seat until retiring in 1992. He became the fourth leader of Fianna Fail in 1979 and served three periods as Taoiseach from 1979 to 1981, in 1982, and from 1987 to 1992.
PA