Former Fianna Fáil TD Bobby Aylward dies

The former Fianna Fáil TD Bobby Aylward has died aged 67.

Mr Aylward had two spells as a TD for the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency, one between 2007 and 2011 and a second between 2015 and 2020.

He retired from politics after losing his seat a second time in the February 2020 general election.

Mr Aylward was from a well-known political family. His father Robert was a Fianna Fáil general election candidate and a senator. Bobby’s brother Liam served as a TD in the same constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. He was a junior minister at various times between 1988 and 2004 and an MEP after that.

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Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Bobby Aylward was part of a family that had “given so much to the people of Kilkenny and Ireland over many decades. Bobby continued that proud tradition of service with great distinction.”

Along with serving two terms as a TD, Mr Aylward had also served time as a county councillor on Kilkenny County Council and was chairperson of the council in 2003-2004.

Mr Martin added: “He was a proud Mullinavat man, rooted in his community, and personified the legendary spirit of his club, Ballyhale Shamrocks. This great sense of place gave Bobby a wonderful authenticity and made him the man he was.

“On the council, and later as a national politician in Dáil Éireann, Bobby displayed an unending commitment to, and passion for, his constituents.”

Mr Aylward is survived by his wife Helena, their children Bob, Mark and Triona, grandchildren and his five brothers and three sisters.