A large crowd is expected to attend the funeral in Cahirciveen of Mrs Mary O'Donoghue, a former chairwoman of Kerry County Council and mother of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Mrs O'Donoghue, who was taken ill on Saturday, died at Cork University Hospital on Monday night. She was 76.
Both the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Labour leader, Mr Dick Spring, extended their sympathies to the O'Donoghue family. Mr Spring, who had served with Mrs O'Donoghue on Kerry County Council, described her as a formidable and respected representative of the people of south Kerry.
Co-opted onto the council in 1964 following the death of her husband, Daniel, she was elected with ease on successive occasions and was chairwoman from 1982 to 1983. She took over management of the family pub, shop and auctioneering business while raising seven children. She stepped down from the council in 1985.
Mrs O'Donoghue continued to play an active role in politics in south Kerry and remained a member of the Co Kerry VEC until the time of her death.
Removal will take place at 7.45 this evening from Daly's funeral home in Cahirciveen to the Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church. Burial will take place to Killavarnogue cemetery following Requiem Mass at noon tomorrow.