The writer and journalist Maeve Binchy (72) died peacefully in Dublin last night.
Taoiseach Enda Kennyy and President Michael D Higgins have led the tributes to the author, with Mr Higgins saying he was “deeply saddened” to hear about Ms Binchy’s death.
“In recent years she showed great courage and thankfully never lost her self-deprecating humour, honesty and remarkable integrity as an artist and human being,” he said.