The husband of the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mr Enda O'Rourke, died today after a short illness.
Mr O'Rourke, a retired businessman, is survived by wife Mary and their two children Feargal and Aengus.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern expressed his condolences at news of Mr O'Rourke's "untimely" death and said his "great energy and commitment were tremendous assets to the Fianna Fáil organisation in Westmeath".
Mr O'Rourke's removal will take place tomorrow from the hospital to Coosan church in his native Athlone and the funeral will follow 11 a.m. mass on Thursday morning.