The Taoiseach has paid tribute to the president of the Irish League of Credit Unions, who died yesterday in a car crash.
Mr Frank Lynch (45) was killed near Granard in Co Longford shortly after 6 a.m., while travelling to the funeral in Derry of a former president of the league, Mr Frank O'Kane.
Mr Lynch's car collided with a lorry about one mile outside Granard on the Cavan road. No one else was injured.
Mr Ahern, who met Mr Lynch with the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, last week, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened." Mr Lynch had served with distinction as president and displayed "enthusiasm and total dedication" to the development of the movement.
Ms Harney also paid tribute to Mr Lynch as "a loyal servant" of the movement.
The vice-president of the ILCU, Mr Jim McMahon, said his death was "a massive loss". "Frank was a great personal friend and a great friend to the whole movement. His breadth of experience, wisdom and tremendous sense of humour will be sadly missed," Mr McMahon said.
Mr Lynch had been involved in credit unions since 1969, when he joined in his native town of Blarney, Co Cork. He became a member of the board of directors of Nenagh Credit Union in 1979 and was elected to the national board in 1991.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children.
