President Michael D. Higgins has paid tribute to former Labour Party TD and mayor of Limerick Frank Prendergast who has died at the age of 81.

Mr Prendergast was admitted to University Hospital Limerick on Thursday following an extended battle with cancer, and passed away over the course of the night.

Elected to Dáil Éireann in 1982, he served as a deputy for Limerick East for a period of four years while his party was in opposition. A staunch trade unionist, he had a lasting association with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and was twice elected mayor of his native city in 1977 and 1984.

“Frank made a significant contribution to Irish politics at local and national level and was a steadfast supporter of Limerick and its people,” Mr Higgins said in a statement. “He will be missed by all us who knew him as a colleague and a friend,” he said.

Labour TD for Limerick and Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan said she was saddened to learn of his passing. He was “deeply committed” to the Labour movement and “served all the people of Limerick with tenacity and dedication,” she said.

"Frank was a lover of the Irish language, a fluent Gaeilgeoir, and a lover of the arts. He was a raconteur sort of a person who loved Limerick, loved the history of the city and loved to tell that story at any opportunity that he got," said Limerick councillor Joe Leddin. The Labour representative for Limerick city added that the loss would be keenly felt in the city.

He is survived by his wife Mary and their three children.