Former Fine Gael minister Paddy O'Toole dies aged 87

Former government minister Paddy O'Toole has died aged 87.

The Mayo native, who served as a Fine Gael TD from 1977 to 1987, died on Sunday night.

Mr O'Toole held a number of ministerial positions, including minister of defence.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris paid tribute, describing Mr O'Toole as "a community man grounded in the place he served."

"I was saddened to hear of the ing of the former Fine Gael Minister Paddy O’Toole on Sunday evening in his native Mayo," the Tánaiste said.

"A former teacher in Knockanillo National School outside Ballina, Paddy was a community man grounded in the place he served. He was first nominated to the Seanad in 1973 and went on to be elected to the Dáil on four occasions spanning the decade between 1977 and 1987.

"Paddy served as Minister for the Gaeltacht, Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestries and indeed as a predecessor of my own, as Minister for Defence.

"My sympathies to his wife Jacqueline, his children Jacqueline, John, Padraig and Helen, his friends, and to the people of Mayo whom he loved and served. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."